 I published Power of the Flowers for the first time in March 2017. For months leading up to the date on which the website went live, I read and I wrote and I gathered information I thought would be useful to others. From the moment I conceived of Power of the Flowers, not a day passed that I didn’t think about ways to present new material, or how to effectively convey constructive messages. Somewhere within me, as the idea took shape, an echo began. BSR – beauty, strength, resilience – reverberated consistently in my head. Even when people questioned me, when my goals were challenged, I kept pushing on.
Then, earlier this year, the echo faded. It wasn’t one event that caused the echo to fade. Rather, it was a myriad of events that kept shushing my voice. COVID-19 crossed our great oceans and landed on our shores. In droves, people fell ill. shush Schools closed temporarily in March. shush The nation shut down, as did the schools for the remainder of the spring term. shush We were told to stay home - - don’t go to work, don’t go to stores, don’t go out for a meal - - for a few days…for a month…for two months. shush Restrictions rose daily with the sun. Don’t wear a mask. shush Wear a mask. shush Wear gloves. shush Don’t wear gloves. shush Stay 6 feet apart. shush Wash your hands. shush Cough into your arm. shush Don’t visit the elderly. shush Don’t congregate. shush Through the delivery of these messages, the fear gremlin crept out of the darkness. Having worked so hard to keep those fragile plates spinning on the top of those remarkably thin sticks, the loss of worldwide momentum caused each plate to come crashing down. Outside our front doors, the economy screeched to a halt. Jobs ran dry. People were laid off. Bills piled up. Stress mounted daily. Frustration boiled over and people acted out. Historically, in circumstances raft with frustration, when the words on my lips have not been constructive, my brain has reasoned my mouth into silence. Some might say that I properly embraced the notion that “silence is golden.” However, not every moment of frustration requires silence. Not every moment of frustration triggers a poor thought process. In fact, I think we have reached the moment where silence is no longer golden. We have reached the moment when we need our words to reverberate loudly. Translation of the Swiss German phrase “sprecfien ist silbern, schweigen ist golden” is attributed to English author Thomas Carlyle. Although the verbatim translation is “speech is silvern, silence is golden,” Carlyle thought the better translation was “speech is of time, silence is of eternity.” Eternal silence will not trigger change. Eternal silence does not combat the fear gremlin and the powers that shush us. However, reasoned opinions stated clearly and loudly will trigger change. I can already hear you. And, once again, I can hear myself. Now, let’s make sure everyone else hears us.
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 Always bring your “A” Game. Know when to be the “Minus.”
What the hell does this mean? Who wants to be a Minus? Doesn’t everyone want to be a plus? Sometimes. And sometimes it is important, even necessary, to be the Minus. Let me explain. First, I think it is important to make clear that “A Game” individuals and “Type A” individuals have characteristics that overlap…extensively. Both are generally known to be knowledgeable, organized and prepared. Type A’s are also known to be direct, unyielding and curt. A Game individuals are, arguably, a bit less rigid. Sometimes, they are charming, accommodating and pleasant. Other times, they cannot be differentiated from the Type A group. Looking more closely at those who bring their A Game, in addition to being knowledgeable, organized and prepared, these folks also possess the following traits:
Yes, an overarching confidence is woven through all of these traits, and no, these folks are never described as wilting violets. With all of the above noted, it is understandable why “A Game” individuals are highly sought. Taking all of this into account, why would anyone want to be a Minus? To that very good question, I have the following answer: when a person embraces his or her Minus, he or she practices the aforementioned skills by merging strengths with knowledge and wisdom. To be more specific, a Minus routinely operates by doing the following: 1. Never needing to be the center of attention. Understanding that the goal is not to be on stage, but to close the deal, or complete the task, is understood by the Minus. Removing him or herself from the equation will always occur to achieve the goal. 2. Listening to everything. They listen to what everyone says, no matter that person’s level of experience. Much can be learned about another, or about a situation, simply by listening. 3. Knowing when not to speak. They have learned that it is incredibly important to know when not to speak. 4. Communicating with respect, professionalism and knowledge. The Minus can deal with unreasonable people in a professional and respectful manner. They are always careful when they communicate, and will admit if they do not have the answer. 5. Are acquainted with every detail. The devil is in the details, a fact Minuses have usually learned the hard way. It follows that the details can change how a situation is handled, and how it is resolved. 6. During negotiations, they are persistent and patient, but not pushy. Minuses know when to push an issue, when to keep pressure on an issue, and how to relay that issue without pounding it to death. 7. Never sidestep the hard conversations. However difficult, they never shirk this responsibility. 8. Will take responsibility for their own actions and the actions taken by those who work for them. Minuses understand that they are the leaders, so all mistakes fall to them. Taking responsibility is never in question. However, they never play the role of martyr. 9. Ethics and morals are never traded. To the Minus, these are not tradable commodities. They will not trade their moral or ethical compass to close a deal or win a case. Overall, the distinction between the “Type A” and the “A Minus” is, arguably, temperament. The Minus has all the Type A skills, and the temperament to lead and/or close a deal without needing to be in the spotlight. So, embrace your Minus. It is your greatest asset.  Many years ago, before marriage and motherhood, I lived in an old building on 71stStreet in Manhattan. It was a walk up. I lived on the third floor. My forever friend lived on the first floor, which is how I got into the building. Our other forever friend moved in on the fourth floor. As the building had only eight apartments, it felt a bit like a continual episode of Friends for the two years we lived together. Having met in kindergarten, by the time we graduated from high school, we had shared many secrets, spent hours laughing and crying, had more inside jokes than I can count. To then get a chance to live in the same building when we were single and in our early 30’s was a blessing. “Peach” (fourth floor) and I moved into the building in the fall of 2003. That December, we had a Christmas party across the three apartments. We invited all our neighbors and our friends. When my parents arrived, my mom gave me funny Christmas hand towels to share with Peach and “LD”. Lois (my mom) had a great sense of humor, as you can see from the messages here. This weekend, I got my act together and transitioned the house from Thanksgiving to Christmas (no judgment … I realize I am a bit behind the curve this year). When I found the hand towels, I smiled. So many good memories are triggered each time I look at these. I can see my mom’s face as she handed these towels to me, her wry smile abundantly evident. I remember Peach making her famous hotdogs in ketchup for the party, and having a full pot of the same on the stove at the end of the night. I remember getting LD’s Christmas tree in the door shortly prior to the party, using our “tree gloves.” I remember the snow storm that almost caused us to cancel the party. Peach moved out in 2005 after she got engaged. LD and I remained in the building for many more years, eventually moving on after we both married. My mom died in 2008. Peach died of breast cancer in 2018. We cannot stop time. We cannot stop change. What we can do is enjoy the moment, because every moment will become a memory. Many of those moments will become memories you treasure. This is the true gift of Christmas. As time passes, it isn’t the physical gifts you’ll remember. Rather, it will be the laughter you shared, the people who showed up, the way you felt that will remain with you. Merry Christmas.  |
