For people on the edge of the night
And love dares you to change our way
Of caring about ourselves
This is our last dance
This is our last dance
This is ourselves under pressure
Under pressure...."
Lyrics from "Under Pressure", David Bowie
What is it they say about "best laid plans"? Mine were foiled one day this week. I headed out to the Merchandise Mart downtown, a one hour drive, parked in a $22 lot, and made my way to the sixth floor. Most of the showrooms were closed! I'd forgotten, it was President's Day today in the business world, too.
So, walking, I did a slow burn thinking about it... all that time LOST, all that gas money LOST, and $22 for parking, wasted.
(I could hear David Bowie in my head...."Bah bah bah bah bah bah... Pressure... pressing down on me... ")
But one showroom was open, I decided to make the best of it.
Mike, the showroom manager smiled and greeted me as I came in. He's the kind of guy who remembers everyone, always has a joke and a smile ready, yet is very professional when he needs to be. The day suddenly seemed better thanks to Mike's cheerful demeanor.
I had my "to do" list. So I went to work. It was not a large showroom. The phone rang and I heard Mike pick it up. In a moment I could tell from his end of the conversation that the person on the other end was irate. It went from bad to worse. Each time Mike tried to say something the caller shot him down. I couldn't hear the other person's words, but I could hear the volume and tone projecting over to where I was.
Poor Mike... he tried to be polite, tried to be patient. It was a no-win situation. He was in the hot seat and his butt was being fried. He tried reasoning, suggested the caller contact the N.Y. office where someone had authority to resolve the matter. To no avail. The other party ranted on and on then abruptly hung up.
I saw Mike put the phone down and then he just sat there, staring without focus, deflated. His shoulders slumped, he looked as if he'd been up all night. That phone call had brought about a total shift in him. Gone were the smiles and sparkling eyes. He looked numb, far away, like a zombie. I wondered if the person who had called had ANY idea what his angry words had cost this man.
And I too felt distracted and uncomfortable.... and helpless. The energy in the showroom had changed.
Why do we do this to ourselves and each other I wonder. Why do we shoot the messenger who delivers bad news? Why can't we be better at thinking before we speak? Why can't we use our words less recklessly? Feelings are everywhere. When will we be able to see that we all are connected, that acting in love and kindness in any situation creates a more effective result?
Words can be bullets we shoot at others to bring them down, make them weak, so we will appear strong. But deep down I'm certain it's ourselves we are destroying when we lash out to hurt others.
In my heart of hearts, I do believe we're all capable of doing the right thing, if we could only stop and think first. As our days become pressure tanks and our lives feel time crunched, it gets harder and harder to pause, count to 3, think, and then speak.
Recently I had to call a client to tell her that the fabric she'd fallen in love with had been discontinued. I dreaded that call. Before making it I did everything I could to find any remaining yardage. No luck. But my client said this to me when I called and told her how sorry I was:
"Don't be sorry, it's not your fault. I'M sorry that YOU have to hunt again for more fabrics, busy as you are. And really, when you stop to think about it, it's ONLY fabric. It's a small thing compared to what a lot of people have to deal with in life. I know you'll find something else that's just as wonderful."
A weight was lifted, I felt so grateful for her understanding and anxious to find something even better for her. Even now as I remember, warmth and gentle appreciation fill me.
Words. Just words. But so powerful.
Lyrics from "Under Pressure", David Bowie
What is it they say about "best laid plans"? Mine were foiled one day this week. I headed out to the Merchandise Mart downtown, a one hour drive, parked in a $22 lot, and made my way to the sixth floor. Most of the showrooms were closed! I'd forgotten, it was President's Day today in the business world, too.
So, walking, I did a slow burn thinking about it... all that time LOST, all that gas money LOST, and $22 for parking, wasted.
(I could hear David Bowie in my head...."Bah bah bah bah bah bah... Pressure... pressing down on me... ")
But one showroom was open, I decided to make the best of it.
Mike, the showroom manager smiled and greeted me as I came in. He's the kind of guy who remembers everyone, always has a joke and a smile ready, yet is very professional when he needs to be. The day suddenly seemed better thanks to Mike's cheerful demeanor.
I had my "to do" list. So I went to work. It was not a large showroom. The phone rang and I heard Mike pick it up. In a moment I could tell from his end of the conversation that the person on the other end was irate. It went from bad to worse. Each time Mike tried to say something the caller shot him down. I couldn't hear the other person's words, but I could hear the volume and tone projecting over to where I was.
Poor Mike... he tried to be polite, tried to be patient. It was a no-win situation. He was in the hot seat and his butt was being fried. He tried reasoning, suggested the caller contact the N.Y. office where someone had authority to resolve the matter. To no avail. The other party ranted on and on then abruptly hung up.
I saw Mike put the phone down and then he just sat there, staring without focus, deflated. His shoulders slumped, he looked as if he'd been up all night. That phone call had brought about a total shift in him. Gone were the smiles and sparkling eyes. He looked numb, far away, like a zombie. I wondered if the person who had called had ANY idea what his angry words had cost this man.
And I too felt distracted and uncomfortable.... and helpless. The energy in the showroom had changed.
Why do we do this to ourselves and each other I wonder. Why do we shoot the messenger who delivers bad news? Why can't we be better at thinking before we speak? Why can't we use our words less recklessly? Feelings are everywhere. When will we be able to see that we all are connected, that acting in love and kindness in any situation creates a more effective result?
Words can be bullets we shoot at others to bring them down, make them weak, so we will appear strong. But deep down I'm certain it's ourselves we are destroying when we lash out to hurt others.In my heart of hearts, I do believe we're all capable of doing the right thing, if we could only stop and think first. As our days become pressure tanks and our lives feel time crunched, it gets harder and harder to pause, count to 3, think, and then speak.
Recently I had to call a client to tell her that the fabric she'd fallen in love with had been discontinued. I dreaded that call. Before making it I did everything I could to find any remaining yardage. No luck. But my client said this to me when I called and told her how sorry I was:
"Don't be sorry, it's not your fault. I'M sorry that YOU have to hunt again for more fabrics, busy as you are. And really, when you stop to think about it, it's ONLY fabric. It's a small thing compared to what a lot of people have to deal with in life. I know you'll find something else that's just as wonderful."
A weight was lifted, I felt so grateful for her understanding and anxious to find something even better for her. Even now as I remember, warmth and gentle appreciation fill me.
Words. Just words. But so powerful.
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