Over the weekend I was watching an interview with someone facing adverse circumstances. The particulars are relatively unimportant since there seems to be so much adversity spread around for a lot of folks and businesses these days. What was important, at least to me, was a line that the interview subject used and that’s what I’d like to remind us all about today.
In doing a little research, it seems as if it’s credited to, among others, Jimmy Dean (not the actor, the country singer and sausage-maker) and Dolly Parton. That’s immaterial too: it’s the thought that counts.
The guy in the interview was being asked if he didn’t feel discouraged by the adversity that had so negatively affected him. He looked right at the interviewer and said:
We can’t control the wind but we can decide how to set our sails.
I like that. A lot. It’s the exact opposite of throwing up one’s hands and asking “what are you going to do?” (or as it comes out here in the New York area “waddayagonnado?”). It’s taking responsibility and recognizing that stuff happens. It doesn’t place blame. It doesn’t ignore facts. It’s neither angry nor submissive. To me, it’s determined.
This is my chant for the week. What’s yours?
Consult Keith 