Normally,
my photo-of-the-week posts are of some scenic sight or point of interest. This
week I've taken a different course. I always tell people that my true wealth, besides
the time I have on this Earth, is my friends. And, here are some of my friends.
I rolled into Phoenix sent out an email and had hoped to find a time to get
together with each of my friends individually, fitting into their busy
schedules. Lo and behold, they all got together and just like that, we had a
small party put together.
These
are friends I've known for decades from my membership in the National Speakers
Association, an organization that has blessed me with some of the best
friendships of my life. Seated around the table with me beginning at the back
of the booth on the left with Naomi Rhode, then Jim Rhode and Ed Scannell. On
the right side, I'm in the back with Kathleen Thoren and Don Thoren. All of
these terrific folks are participants in the Veteran Speakers Retreat and have
been designated Legends of the Speaking Profession. I was honored to be the
coordinator of the VSR for 12 years where we awarded the Legends designation
and shared time with each of them during the retreats.
As
a side note, besides the fact that each of these people are uniquely talented
and very wise, intelligent individuals, I credit Jim Rhode as being my muse and
inspiration in the creation of the SuccessTrax audio magazine I created in the
early 80's. One just never knows who will cross your path and become pivotal in
where you future will go.
At
any rate, I salute you all, love and appreciate you and thanks for the
impromptu birthday celebration that spontaneously occurred. It was a delightful
evening at The Cheesecake Factory in Phoenix.
Well said Ed: True wealth consists of your friends. Love requires people: relationship. When it's all said and done, it's the people we've connected with who we remember. When we give of ourselves to one another, so we live in one another--not metaphorically, but in reality. It may be a beautiful ideal, a lovely emotion, a high idea. It takes root and blossoms because of what we have shared and has been received.
ReplyDeleteMany more such get-togethers to you.