Be Grateful in All Things

My son was in an accident the other day. Fortunately, no one was hurt. However, it did total his truck, and will undoubtedly raise his insurance rates. It will cost him money for the ticket (and yes, he will be paying that ticket, not his parents). He clearly knows which of his parents is the more laid-back, however, as he chose to call my husband to report the accident. But this is not a column on being the kind of leader that people feel comfortable coming to when there’s a problem!

No, because it’s nearing Thanksgiving, this is a column about being grateful, even in difficult circumstances. First, of course, I’m grateful that neither my son nor anyone else involved in the accident was injured. Second, although his insurance rates will go up, they will apparently not go up until December 2010, our next renewal period. That’s one less year at the higher rate. Third, because there is one less vehicle on our policy, our monthly rate will actually be lower until the vehicle is replaced. Finally, our boat, which can only be towed by the truck, was delivered to my brother’s place for winter storage the week before my son’s accident!

Even when you are trying to lead a strategic life, remaining focused on the goal and the plan to get there, obstacles can (and will) crop up, causing you to get stuck or knocked off course. Looking for the “silver lining” in these unplanned clouds can help keep you moving forward. Granted, some situations are more difficult than others. But knowing that there will always be unexpected turns of events in your life, and learning to be grateful in any situation (or at the very least, being able to find a lesson to be learned) will help you weather the storms that come your way, whether they are small rain storms or all out hurricanes.

Be thankful – in all things.