Several summers ago, a client asked me to travel to the East Coast to facilitate a partnering
meeting at a public university. The meeting included architects, engineers, contractors, faculty, the university planners. I had been warned in advance that the meeting was likely to be contentious, as there was a history of unsuccessful projects between some of the participants.
I traveled to the university late the night before during a furious thunderstorm and struggled during the downpour to find parking and the guest accommodations provided for me. The room turned out to be a bare cinder block room in a vacant first-year dormitory with a plastic-covered mattress and one fluorescent light in the ceiling. There was no phone, no Internet connection, and no bedside lamp. My plans for completing preparations for the meeting were nixed, so I went to bed with the idea of getting up early the next morning to complete my work.
I rose with the sun and ventured out of the university boundaries, where the only restaurant I could find open was a McDonald’s. I carried my notes and files into the restaurant hoping to get a large cup of coffee and do my work. My inner voice was chattering rapidly, telling me over and over again that nothing had gone right on this trip so far, that I probably wouldn’t be well prepared for the meeting, and that it was unlikely I’d do a very good job.
I ordered a large cup of coffee and proceeded to the condiments counter to doctor it with sugar and cream. The area was small, and I had to wait a few moments behind a tall, scruffy-looking man. When he turned to face me, I said, Good morning.
How are you?
he asked.
Terrific,
I said – my standard answer to that question, though I didn’t really mean it in this case.
After a long pause, he said, It’s good to be alive, isn’t it? Somebody didn’t make it yesterday, and we’ve been blessed with another opportunity.
I knew in an instant that I had been touched by an angel in the center of my chest and had experienced a powerful moment of grace. My attitude shifted, and I proceeded to the meeting with joy in my heart. During the course of the meeting I told this story, and it seemed to wake everybody else up the way it had me. I think from now on when people ask me, How are you?
I’m going to reply, Glad to be alive,
and remember to mean it.
The above is an excerpt from the book Spot of Grace, copyright 2008 by Dawna Markova. It is printed here with permission of the publisher, New World Library, 1-800-972-6657 ext. 50. Inspirational speaker and writer Dawna Markova, Ph.D., is internationally known for her ground breaking work in helping people learn with passion and live with purpose. She is the author of numerous books, including the bestsellers Random Acts of Kindness and I Will Not Die an Unlived Life. A long-term cancer survivor (she was told she had six months to live almost thirty years ago), Dawna has appeared on numerous television programs, and is a frequent guest on National Public Radio and New Dimensions. She offers seminars and workshops and speaks at business and educational conferences internationally. Her website can be found at www.dawnamarkova.com.