Forcefields

With hurricane Florence battling the eastern seaboard, forcefield is a term we readily understand. There are different kinds, and that’s what I wish to speak of today.

People are forcefields, too. Many come to mind. We have each known our share of them. The mayor, who after retiring from teaching, gave voice to local issues with a logic so pure she was asked to run for mayor, did and served five four-year terms. At 90 she still tends the flower gardens of the city, quietly going about town doing her best to beautify. She accomplished marvelous things for her students, and then for her community.

The retired businessman who always wanted to run his own coffee company. He borrowed on his Brazilian family roots, imported coffee beans from all around the world, blended them, roasted them, and built a solid following throughout New York State and the Big Apple, too. He died at 95 doing what he wanted to do. The company continues with successive generations of his family.

The effervescent black lady who wanted to break into the Walmart business model. And did. Perseverance kept her working it, but brilliance and flexibility combined to make it happen. The experience taught her something she must share with others. Today she is mentoring and teaching women of all backgrounds to live their dream and build their own businesses. She is living proof that forcefields have personality as well as energy!

Not always easy to live with, these forcefields. They challenge us to do more, see more, think more.

Doing that opens us to a world of opportunity. It is there. Staring us in the face. All that’s needed is our two cents and some effort.

The trick is to be open and confident. And willing to try.

I have observed this process over and over and learned to get out of the way of the forcefields. They are powerful and constructive. Not always immediately understood, but they sweep us along for their ride. Usually it is a good one. So relax and enjoy!

Now Florence is another matter. We hope for the best for all those in her path.

September 14, 2018