Think you are in a Slump? Think again! What Really Matters in Life?

We live in a difficult time with the economic climate invading everyone?s sense of financial security. Those employed fear being laid off; those unemployed are discouraged at the lack of jobs and the length of their unemployment; those in business for themselves are anxious about where their next clients or customer will be coming from. Everyone is worried, scared, and uncertain of what the future holds for them. We all run around doing everything we can to make ends meet and improve our standard of living. Unless one is independently wealthy, today?s times of economic stress are having an adverse impact on our well-being.

However, when a loved one?s health is compromised, none of the above is important anymore. Time stands still, our economic worries are pushed into the background and our focus is re-directed towards that loved one. If you have people who love you and people you love, you are not in a slump ? you have everything!

It is amazing how we find the time, physical strength and emotional strength we need when a loved one needs us.  Chronic shoulder and back pains are replaced with physical strength when that strength is needed. We find more than 24 hours in a day (figuratively speaking) when the need arises. Nothing else matters except the health of our loved one.

As we grow older, if we are lucky enough to have our parents in our lives, there will be times when they need us and we will be there for them because they were there for us since the day we were born. We see them in a different light when we become adults. When we become parents ourselves we learn to appreciate what our parents did for us and the lessons they taught us even more. How many times have you heard your parents' words come out of your mouth when speaking with your children? The one that always got to me growing up was ?Because I said so!? Boy did I hate when my mother said that to me. It was so frustrating! When I heard those same words coming out of own my mouth on more than one occasion, I had to laugh to myself as I now had the appreciation of what they meant which was basically, ?I have tried explaining to you why you can?t do such-and ?such, you still don?t get it so now my answer is because I said so?.

My dad?s most recent health crisis gave me the privilege of honoring both my parents by doing whatever I could to help them. Yes, I am one of the fortunate who has both my parents. To see a smile on my dad?s face is worth more than a million dollars to me. My mother?s strength is something I have learned to admire more and more over the years. She has many ailments but never does she let them get her down nor does she complain about them. Instead she says ?look at so-and-so, now THEY have it really bad! I am lucky?. I admire her more than ever for having that kind of an outlook on life and hope that I can emulate this trait of hers when I am in the same situation. If you are lucky enough to have one or both of your parents in your life remember to treasure that. Someone I admire reminded me recently that "In the end, all that really matters is the love we give to others and the love we receive in return? (thanks Susan). I am even more fortunate to have a partner who supports me in every way. When I thanked him today he said ?but I didn?t do anything?. I pointed out to him that sometimes not ?doing anything? is actually doing everything simply by supporting me and enabling me to do what was needed for my parents. Besides he did do ?something? ? he jumped in to lend a hand when needed.

So as we try to keep up with this rat-race called life, remember to focus on what really matters. When life gets you down, which it will ? and ? often, look around you at those you love and remember ? this is what really matters! No one I have ever heard of on their death bed says ?I wish I had spent more time at the office?. Instead, many say ?I wish I had spent more time with my family?. 

What does this have to do with Small Business Marketing? Nothing ? but that is the point!