Family Reunion
Recently our family traveled to South Georgia for my wife’s annual family reunion. We’ve attended this reunion almost every year, no matter where we’ve lived. In fact, we’re usually the ones who travel the farthest and this year was no exception – over nine hours in the car just to spend a few hours together.
And I’d do it again.
The crowd isn’t as large as it used to be. Time has a way of changing things. But this year we still had a great turnout – Young and old. From a two-month-old baby to an 83-year-old grandparent. Everyone made the effort to be there.
Now, if you’ve ever spent a summer afternoon in South Georgia, you know exactly what comes with it.
The heat, the humidity, and time with the GA state bug (IYKYK).
Yet none of that seemed to matter. People laughed, shared stories, ate way too much, and simply enjoyed being together.
And it reminded me of something.
A Real Christian Businessman understands that attitude often determines the value we get out of an event. Think about the meetings you attend every year. The conferences, company gatherings, annual sales meetings.
How many people show up already planning to complain?
“The food wasn’t very good.”
“The speaker went too long.”
“I’ve got better things to do.”
“This is a waste of my time.”
Sound familiar?
Our family reunion could have been viewed the same way.
The food is never exactly the same. Some dishes are homemade (YUM!). Others were picked up from the grocery store an hour before everyone arrived. The bugs are relentless. The drive is long for many of us.
But none of that was the point.
The point was simply showing up. Being together. Encouraging one another. Making memories.
The same is true in business.
Not every meeting will be exciting.
Not every conference will change your life.
Not every gathering will be perfectly planned.
But every one of them gives you an opportunity.
An opportunity to encourage someone. To build a relationship, to learn one new thing, or simply to be a positive influence in a room full of negativity.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” Prov 27:17 (NIV)
Imagine how different our workplaces would be if we were known as the people who brought encouragement to one another instead of complaints.
The people who lifted others up instead of tearing the event down.
So the next time we have to attend a meeting, conference, training session, or even a family gathering, let’s decide our attitude before we walk in.
Because sometimes our greatest contribution isn’t what we say.
It’s the attitude we bring.