Two Choices

I received this by e-mail today from a friend and it actually made me cry....and think....What would I have done ???

What would you do? You make the choice. Don't look for a punch line, there
isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled
children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would
never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its
dedicated staff, he offered a question: "When not interfered with by
outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my
son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand
things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my
son?"

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. "I believe that when a child like Shay, physically
and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize
true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people
treat that child."

Then he told the following story:

Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were
playing baseball. Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?" Shay's
father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their
team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play,
it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to
be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not
expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and
said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I
guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth
inning."

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a
team shirt. His Father watched with a small tear in his eye and warmth in
his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted. In the
bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still
behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and
played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was
obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from
ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the
ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases
loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be
next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win
the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit
was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat
properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the
other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved
in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make
contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The
pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards
Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground
ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and
could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have
been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head,
out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams
started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first!" Never in his life had
Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the
baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!" Catching his breath, Shay
awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the
base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had
the ball ... the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to
be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball to the
second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so
he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's
head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him
circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay"

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by
turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third!
Shay, run to third!"

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were
on their feet screaming, "Shay, run home! Run home!" Shay ran to home,
stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam
and won the game for his team.

"That day", said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face,
"the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity
into this world".

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never
forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy, and coming home
and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

AND NOW A LITTLE FOOTNOTE TO THIS STORY: We all send thousands of jokes
through e-mail without a second thought, but when it comes to sending
messages about life choices, people hesitate. The crude, vulgar, and often
obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion about decency
is too often suppressed in our schools and workplaces.

If you're thinking about forwarding this message, chances are that you're
probably sorting out the people in your address book who aren't the
"appropriate" ones to receive this type of message. Well, the person who
sent you this believes that we all can make a difference. We all have
thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the "natural
order of things." So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people
present us with a choice: Do we pass along a little spark of love and
humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little
bit colder in the process?

A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least
fortunate amongst them.

Wishing you a "Shay Day"

I feel so guilty…..

Of not writing anything in such a long time but so many things has changed.

After we decided to move back to Europe, Germany to be exact, a lot of things had to be set in motion. It started from: what do we have to do to take the dog with us same as how do we get the dog over? To the next important thing : Finding a place to stay to deciding whether to sell everything or to take the things we want and to pay for a container …and the list goes on .

I am sure you moved at least once in your live so just double the stress factor when you think about me trying to arrange our move across the ocean and you know how I felt:)

But to most people’s and our own surprise things just went as they were planned this way – by someone higher up I guess- and we took it as a sign that this move is just for our best.

Since two months now I am back in Germany and I cannot believe how much I enjoy it- even the cold:) and I am sure that I am the only German greeting every foreigner passing my way after experiencing to be a foreigner in another country and I don’t consider that a bad thing.

I am surprised how much living in a foreign place has changed my outlook on life in general. I am certainly not the same person that left Germany nine years ago and I don’t think I would be who I am today without that experience….and it feel’s great to be me !!

Now, after finally being settled in, I will try to post more often about my personal and business musings until then …

Take care

Amazon.com

And my worst experience….I tried to purchase an Apple Mac Pro with some additional software on July 29. The order was confirmed – GREAT!!

Next day we receive a message that Amazon is having” difficulty “processing our card of course only for the notebook NOT the software, which was actually charged and shipped…Hmmmm It’s impossible seeing the amount of money which is in the account but hey let us call in any event. Therefore, we did. The bank confirmed us that the amount was already authorized to Amazon not to worry seeing that there are enough funds available.
So me, naïve as I am try to communicate the very same to Amazon …and guess what??
Getting the same message – unable to process your card try again ...and as an “Idiot” I did and I have to admit a few times…NEVER EVER DO THAT!!!! Amazon will Block all YOUR funds!!!

Who would have thought that Amazon.com puts a hold on all our funds??? I actually cancelled the order yesterday, just to learn today that the item is only available now for an additional $500.00 .. Not only did Amazon put a total stop on my credit card in charging it several times BUT they are not even decent enough to tell me that the problem lies not in any missing funds but in their inability to provide you with the item ordered.

Update: After a few more calls and e-mails our funds are released this morning despite their previous info that this is NOT possible within a day :)

THE TRUTH ABOUT YOU & HAPPINESS

The good you find in others, is in you too.
The faults you find in others, are your faults as well.
After all, to recognize something you must know it.
The possibilities you see in others, are possible for you as well.
The beauty you see around you, is your beauty.
The world around you is a reflection, a mirror showing you the person you are.
To change your world, you must change yourself.
To blame and complain will only make matters worse.
Whatever you care about, is your responsibility.
What you see in others, shows you yourself.
See the best in others, and you will be your best.
Give to others, and you give to yourself.
Appreciate beauty, and you will be beautiful.
Admire creativity, and you will be creative.
Love, and you will be loved.
Seek to understand, and you will be understood.
Listen, and your voice will be heard.
Teach, and you will learn.
Show your best face to the mirror, and you'll be happy with the face looking back at you.

I just discovered this one on Maria Sipkas's "About me" page and got her approval to post this. Maria is one of the most inspiring woman I have ever met and she is the moderator of the XING Group Global Business Woman.
It touched me deeply and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do !!!

Too old to make changes ??

I got inspired for this topic by a post on XING, which is btw a great Networking place ….

When are you too old to make changes in your private or business life ? Is there any limit at all ?

I say : NO , the only thing which might hold you back in your old tracks is most probably fear.

If you wake up and you have stomach cramps just thinking about going to work because you don’t like the job, the co-workers etc . I say its time to make a change

If you are not happy in your relationship, don’t stay just for fear that no one else might come along – try to learn to love your own company. There is nothing more appealing in anyone no matter whether you are a woman or a man than being happy and confident in your own skin.

There is no age limit nor a limit of trying when you go for a change. The most interesting people are those who tried to go for their dreams , those who overcame their fears . They felt down in between and got up again – Those people know now there is nothing to be scared off. They trust their abilities and don’t care about what others might have to say. Those are the people who will succeed in their quest eventually!

So you might not succeed in your next job or relationship …so what ? There are so many other options out there .

Think about what you really want – no matter in which area. Make a list with all you want either in your job or in your personal life and make a list with all you don’t want .

You will be amazed by how much things are coming on your mind, which you actually do NOT want but still accept .

Just remember ...Life is too short to ignore it! ”No one is in control of your happiness but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change”. … Barbara De Angelis

Talking about dreams come true ....

I am so amazed by this story of the cell phone salesman in Britain that I simply have to share it with you.

It blew me away and left me with Goosebumps...and it is a nice reminder to never give up on your dreams and hopes- they might just come true!

On a different note -About saying “Good Bye”….for good

Tonight I got the message that a friend of ours died yesterday after fighting cancer for almost two years. Our friend was only 47 – a loving Husband and father of three; the youngest is only six years old!

Two years ago, I met my mother in law the first time on the funeral of her Husband! Just four weeks ago I had to say “Good-Bye” to my father during my visit in Germany, which took me completely by surprise and the current news brought all the sorrow ,which was quietly bottled up, to the surface again…..

Its funny how you always think people live forever –especially your parents and friends and sometimes they are gone before you were able to say what you had to say.

Please remember, no one lives forever and if you care about someone – let him or her know TODAY!!! Tomorrow might be too late.

And if you feel like it, you can always light a candle for your loved once – alive or dead on my favorite site, Gratefulness….

It gives me peace and hopefully it does the same for you!

Working from home - Dream vs. Reality

Honestly, if you ask my Husband about what I am doing, his answer will be something like: My wife stays at home.

In his mind, I go back to sleep after getting up with him early in the morning to prepare his coffee and will probably wake-up again around 10am – most certainly to let in the maid who, of course, I pay with his salary. The maid takes care of the house, gets the laundry and the ironing done, as well as taking the dogs for several walks, and prepares the food shortly before she leaves the house. If I could only train her to do the Virtual Assistance work as well :) . . . Oh no, let me correct that -- I am NOT working, not really. Working from home means sitting on the sofa, eating chocolate and watching all the newest shows and soaps. Did I mention lying at the pool as well?

Reality looks a little different though. Yes, working from home gives you more freedom and you can indeed make your own schedule BUT . . . if you want to be successful, you have to take your work seriously! You have to be disciplined, get organized and find your routine.

Remember, it’s much easier to get distracted while working from home, so make sure you have your priorities straight.

There is a time for work, for household chores, for the kids, and for the TV! Make sure you have them all separated. It’s nearly impossible trying to complete an important project while watching the Oprah show!

You have to make sure that your friends and family know and accept that while you have your “Office Hours” you will have no time for small talk, at least not more than you had while you where working at your last job.

If you have kids, make sure you explain to them that yes, you work from home now, but it’s work nonetheless. Make sure they understand and respect the hours you need to spend on work.

Know that no one will tell you how to do your job nor will anyone check whether it’s done right. It’s up to you to make sure that projects are delivered to your client on time, finished the way he needs it.

Fact is, working from home is not for everyone!

This is about loyalty . . . how far will you go?

How far will you take loyalty towards your employer, a client or even friends and family?

Are you willing to bend or hide the truth, or even lie under the “umbrella” of loyalty ?

What triggered my thoughts about that subject, was a conversation with a very good friend of mine.

I know my friend is a very hard-working, serious and definitely a loyal person. She does not mind working twelve hours a day, if necessary, as long as she thinks YOU – as a boss – worth all the trouble . . . . She certainly always worked hard and is still doing a great job.

Last night, I got an e-mail from her telling me that her boss was fired. Of course, I picked up the phone and called her right away to get the scoop and, no, I am not nosey but very empathetic with people I care about. :)

So, apart from the fact that he got himself fired because he couldn’t produce any profit for the company for the last two years, he is also trying to take away clients from this company to a new company he has already founded. Nothing wrong with trying BUT he is asking my friend to give a false statement about a contract with one of their current major clients, which was already sealed, signed, and delivered in February. All this because he wants to take this client with him.

In short, he expects her to lie to the board saying that this contract has not been signed yet and to forget to remind them (the Head Office) about the situation.

I have to admit, I was furious! Not only about her taking into consideration to agree to that plot but mostly about her soon-to-be ex-Boss who expects her to go for that scenario under the promise that she will soon follow him to his new company.

Loyalty . . . a small word with a big meaning that often becomes underestimated and/or twisted but for me, loyalty to someone always means to be loyal to myself as well. If I am forced to make a decision, which makes it hard for me to look in the mirror, I will stay away from it!

As for my friend, I hope she will make the right decision ...an ethical one !

The challenges about acquiring a second language

Ok, so I was born and raised in Germany and, as the government mandates, I got my English lessons during the last five years in school.

I remember our very first lesson. Of course, we were and still are taught the “British English,” which started off with: This is Ann and this is Mary, while the teacher tried to make sure that our tongue was between the teeth when we used the word “This.”

Did I like English? I thought it was easy enough to learn but then I did not like our teacher, so I didn’t pay anymore attention to it then was necessary to make it through the lessons.

After school, I started my apprenticeship as a shipping agent/freight forwarder – little did I know then how much English would be a part of my life one day. With the first caller speaking in English, I can still hear myself calling out loud: HELP! There is a caller on the phone who doesn’t speak German (God forbid ... LOL). My Boss at this time was very tolerant at the beginning but also very adamant that I took and answered those calls. Guess my thoughts back then. :)

Fast forward many years later . . . here I am, the branch manager of the courier department in Frankfurt/Main, THE HUB for freight from everywhere in the world and of course, communication with a lot of different countries in the world – either by phone or via e-mail - is just one of many daily tasks. I am having no problem understanding and communicating with any of them with ONE big exception: my Boss is from England and English, spoken by British people, will always be my biggest challenge. Or so I thought. . .

In 1998, I decided to leave the corporate world behind me to fulfill one of my lifelong dreams: Move somewhere completely different, live a different lifestyle altogether – The Bahamas. So here I am with all my English experience and I realized I was lost when it came to small talk. Is this really happening to me? Does that mean I will never have a funny conversation or I will be not able to use my sarcasm? Thank God, it did not take me long to understand the “Bahamian slang” nor to have personal conversations. About a year after my move, I realized that I even started dreaming in English and all my thoughts came in English as well – It’s kind of funny when you experience that – especially since I lived most of my life in Germany and now, not even a year later, my thoughts and dreams are coming in a different language.

For the next few years I continued to learn more words and phrases used in one’s daily life and started working for a Canadian as his personal assistant. But there were still many words I had never heard of – the learning continued.

Eventually I started having problems finding the correct German expressions when I talked to friends and family in Germany – talk about getting adjusted. :)

Three years ago I met my Husband, who is from Liverpool. If you have ever met anyone from this area you know what I am talking about. The first couple of months I had headaches just from concentrating so hard on what he was saying…One part of our conversations in the beginning of our relationship became famous in our circle of friends and at his workplace (I hate to be the reason for musings . . . LOL) but let me share with you: Here we are, sitting on the sofa, having a nice conversation and during that conversation he asked me: “Honey, how many holes do you have in your ear?” Weird question, I thought but answered anyway.

“Three in my left and two holes in my right ear, my dear.” I had not even finished my sentence when he broke out in a big laughter and fell from the sofa because he was laughing so hard. I was not all that amused and looked at him, asking, “And what is so funny about that?”

When he finally caught his breath, he said, “Honey, my question was how many holidays do you have a year?” and started laughing again and by then I joined him wholeheartedly.

Thanks to Hubby, most of the British accents are no longer a mystery to me.

Coming to the end of my reflection, I just want to let you know, that even though I have lived and worked in an English speaking country now for over eight years, dream and think in English, and am married to a man from England, there are still words I don’t know, still some dialects I have problems understanding. There are still times when I can’t find the right word to express myself and times when I am in Germany and have the very same problems…..