Lasso...

Yesterday I was the recipient of an encouraging word from someone who has read this blog. I was taken aback a bit because, well, that's not important, but it did bring a much needed boost to my battered soul. You see, I am in the midst of a difficult time in my business and in my life. The economy is tough right now and we have suffered because of that and some choices on my side. So it has left me depairing at times, not knowing what the outcome will be. I could easily lose everything. I am fighting on, but often with only the faintest of efforts. That's wimpy, I realize, but it's the truth.

So yesterday I was driving my truck east on Goshen Avenue feeling slightly sorry for myself when I thought about George Bailey. George Bailey, the storied do-gooder of "It's A Wonderful Life," as played by Jimmy Stewart. Many things about the movie do not apply, so let's not take the analogy too far, but suffice it to say he had spent a lifetime helping people only to be crushed by circumstances and other people. So he tries to take his life (No, I am not suicidal) but is saved by an angel in training, Clarence, a rather funny character in the movie.

So as I am driving down Goshen Road late yesterday afternoon, George Bailey comes to mind. There are similarities: I've have tried to help people, our community, etc., often to the detriment of my business. Somehow believing that if you help people, well, it will return to you. And it often has returned to me in a variety of ways, but when you're down, inconsolable, whatever, it is difficult to see these things, much like George.

Unlike George and without an angel to guide me, I went on a mind's-eye journey of all the ways the last four years have been helpful to specific people, our community, etc. It was great! I relived, in my heart, the great moments of doing things, great and small that were important, meaningful, happy. It brought a smile to my face in a split second of thought, I went from despairing, to rejoicing. I thought about how life would have been different without Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, Godspell, Forever Plaid, Nunsense and other costly productions. I saw the faces, heard the voices, felt the happiness from cast and audiences alike. It relieved my stress...at least for that moment.

I also saw the pre-disaster George, optimistic, happy, on his first date with Mary, his soon to be wife, saying, "What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary." That is the voice and attitude of entrepreneurs all over the world...that is me. But we give the moon to the cities, towns, and people right where we live. And sometimes, often, really, we fail, because we are unprepared for a world that is not interested in lassoed moons, only ideas, products and services that make a lot of money.

Yesterday I was struggling with all of this and an angel, in the form of a film and a memory, came to rescue me...

Clarence said it best to all: "You've been given a great gift, George: A chance to see what the world would be like without you."

The world would be a much poorer place without you, me, even when we fail!

Know where a guy can get a moon?