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My message this month is about grace. I was reminded of how important it is to use grace in every day life by someone in my life who faced a life changing medical diagnosis. This man immediately began to prepare his business and his personal life for the changes to come with style and grace. He takes every day as a blessing and inspires everyone around him to do the same. His graceful acceptance of something that he cannot change reminds me that every day we are faced with situations where our attitude can turn a bad situation around or make a good situation even better.
Grace can help you accept a compliment, learn from a complaint and make another feel comfortable in your presence. Use it to welcome a new member, re-connect to an old friend and turn a competitor into an ally. When a clerk is cranky with you, accept that she may be having a horrible day and that your smile and kind words could turn that around. When a business problem seems unsolvable, accept help with grace and remember that one day you will be in a position to return that favor. To me, dealing with life with grace is a constant effort. Somedays I feel like taking out my stress on the most innocent person. Last night it was the poor guy in India who had the audacity to have such a thick accent that I couldn't understand much. I took a deep breath and told him that I was grateful that he could understand me at least and we muddled through quite nicely after that. In the end I thanked him for his patience with me and he laughed and said that was the first time someone had said that to him.
In NAWBO I have learned to look past the occupation or business, past the clothes and shoes and look at the person behind them. I have made friends with some of the best women I have ever met and had the pleasure to work with. Some have taught me new business strategies, some have just listened when I needed them and all have made me a better person and businesswoman. Thanks to all of you for all you have done and will do to enrich my life!