OPERATIONS: GARY RICHIED – Page 6
With today being May first and the official start of the moving season, it seems that we should be a lot busier than we are. While we have been doing alright and we survived a full one third of the year already it is the challenge of being pushed to the limit that we crave now. It’s time to crank it up and see what we are capable of. The time for getting ready is over and now is the time to perform at our peak.
Unfortunately, like we are waiting for winter to be over and the warm weather of spring to get here, we are waiting for the volume of business to heat up and give us the influx of work that this time of the year perennially provides. I know its coming and will be here soon but it’s the waiting for it that is the toughest.
Earlier this month I had the distinct pleasure of joining Krystle, Fortino, Jeff, and Ryan in attending the Operations Conference in Fort Wayne where our very own Frank Russell was honored as the Diver of the Year. Frank is the first driver from Reebie ever to be awarded this recognition and we made the most of the presentation to him as he is truly deserving of this title. As reluctant as Frank is to be in the limelight when it comes to being honored like this, his acceptance speech, with his wife Mary Kay at his side, proved to be as phenomenal as he is. I know he will do Reebie and Allied proud.
In place of a quote this month I would like to share this old tale of the Cherokee people. It concerns a boy who was angry at a friend who had done him an injustice. His grandfather sat him down, saying, “I too, at times, have felt hatred toward those who have injured me, with no sorrow for what they did. But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times.” He continued, “It is as if there were two wolves inside of me. One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight as the last resort, and in the right way. But the other wolf – ah, he is full of anger. The smallest thing will send him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing. Sometimes it is hard to live with these two wolves inside of me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit.” The boy looked intently into his grandfather’s eyes and asked, “Which one wins, Grandfather?” The old man smiled and said, “The one I feed.”
Looking ahead to Memorial Day, at the end of the month, I implore you take some time out of whatever celebration you are planning for Memorial Day and pray for all the men and women who have sacrificed for our freedom. For those who fought to gain it, for those who fought to preserve it, and for those who fight to protect it.
Peace and Prayers
Gary