You are what you meet

I received an email from friends in Florida, poking me to wrap up whatever I was doing and shag my butt down there. “It must be a downer with all that dirty melting snow.”

I’m feeling just the opposite. Actually, I’m practically quivering with positive energy right about now.

It began with a lunch on Friday. A half dozen entrepreneurs who have been meeting for a month or so, talking about putting together something. We’ve all done it before and everyone is the type of person who makes things happen.

I don’t know if anything will come out of it, or even that I want to be part of it in the end. But the air fairly crackles with the creativity and positive vibes with this group. I’m enjoying the process. And, am not alone. A few dozen excited emails have flown back and forth since the meeting. That what you draw from a group like this.

That evening, we went to a Cincypaddlers.org party, celebrating exceeding the 1,500 members mark. Yeah, that’s huge for local paddling groups, but the high rubs off from being around the type of people who make that happen. Absolutely fantastic evening.

More than that, it took place at a banquet hall I’ve used for over twenty years. I know the owner and all his people. I know the latter because most of them have been there since the start, a rarity in the catering business. They have a team spirit that could power a good-sized city. It’s contagious. I always enjoy working with them.

Last night, we attended a community theater performance. The nature of the beast is that the troupe does this for the love of the art. And, it shows. You cannot help but be buoyed by their elation.

Last, but not least, I was with someone there who catalyzes everyone around her with positive energy. Someone recently pointed out that our eyes are often closed in photographs. We’re not squinting, we’re laughing. She’s uplifting and makes people glad to be with her.

Tonight I’ll be back with the paddlers for indoor pool practice and look to continue the skein. It’s less a practice than the opportunity to congregate with fun people, especially amid the “dirty melting snow.”

Your attitude determines your altitude, and it’s got little to do with weather conditions. You are what you meet.