At 4:30 in the evening now, the sun is low in the western horizon. The snow on the ground and the leafless trees betray the hint of spring below the frozen surface. When it is quiet at this time you can hear the barely audible sounds of birds who for some reason dd not book passage south to warmer climes. They must have an agreement with their less tolerant brethren, that they will stay and guard the land and prepare it for their return in exchange for something basic like fresh water or worms. And like these remaining cold weather friends, we stay to prepare our businesses for the returning season when phones will ring full of new orders and the anxious and fearful faces will change to smiles and confidence. Spring is coming as is the return of business. Prepare. Listen. Smile. nd his car as a gift, I would take them. We sometimes make many assumptions based on how people look without ever thinking of engaging them in conversation with an open mind. I am sometimes guilty of this as I am sure we all are. But presumptions such as these can be devastating to MBEs or to persons whose self perceptions are fragile. These experiences are cautionary tales of our need to be aware and in the moment and not on automatic cruise control when interacting with real people.
