So I spent the weekend on the east coast. After keynoting and presenting some workshops for the Capital District of Key Club International, I was able to meet up with a friend of mine from college. It was a beautiful spring day outside, so we decided to take a walk down the Capitol Mall.
Yes, the mall was crowded with people arguing for or against the upcoming health care bill, 8th graders on Washington DC trips, and other tourists, but it was also filled with locals. There were people playing soccer, people flying kites, people having a picnic, people riding bicycles, people sketching pictures and photography portraits, people throwing frisbees, and people simply enjoying the day.
My friend told me it was probably the first nice Saturday they’ve had since last fall. After months of rain and snow, including a blizzard that shutdown most of the east coast, people were out celebrating the weather. It was cool to see (and to experience–it was a great day).
I grew up in northern California and currently live in Phoenix, Arizona–both places known for their nice weather (with the exception of the Arizona summertime which truly is hell on Earth). As I was walking around the Capitol Mall, it occurred to me that I rarely do this in my beautiful home environment. Yes, I do take a run outdoors from time to time, or go on a hike here and there, but for the most part I’m a guy who does his exercise at the gym and stays inside my temperature controlled house.
I don’t truly enjoy the amazing weather I’m currently living in. I guess I really take it for granted.
Do we do this in our groups too? Do we take the amazing elements of them for granted as well? Do we simply go through the motions, or are we able to look around at times and have “our picnic”–celebrating the moments in life that we share?
I guess today, as much of the country begins to see some of these first signs of spring, I just want us to do that–celebrate the beauty around us–both in our environment and in our organizations.
Have a great Monday!