Most weekdays I write a brief market commentary for the company website. My very first line every day is the date. That one single purposeful act has become a ritual each morning that reminds me of birthdays, anniversaries, or special occasions. This morning activity, as regular a practice as my first cup of coffee, can set the tone or expectations for the next few hours. When I type 1/29 it is my anniversary, when I type 7/7 it is my eldest son’s birthday, 11/10, 2/17, 9/14, 3/27, and 4/8 all dates that when typed serve as a reminder of some required action on my part. Between my morning ritual of actually typing the date and multiple linked calendars very few important dates slip past unknown or forgotten. The physical act instills within my mind the day’s date and any associated importance.
Yesterday my routine was a little different, I wrote my morning commentary for 2/13 as usual, drank my coffee, paid for some Girl Scout cookies that I set in the corner of my office, munched on the many chocolates in the various candy dishes honoring the next day’s Holiday, Valentines. I handled a few phone calls, prepared for an upcoming board meeting, ate lunch. After the markets closed at 2pm I read some interesting news that would fit with my next day’s commentary and decided to get a jump on that effort. I typed my first line “2/14/2013”.
Yesterday was a normal hectic Wednesday, rush home from work, do a few house hold chores. DeAnn charges in from her work a little late, has to run to the grocery store. I am stuck on the phone for a few minutes and don’t go with her. When she gets back she tosses what she bought into a bowl, I answer a Facebook post and off to church we run for supper, fellowship, and a lesson… 10 minutes late. Very little conversation, simply because of the pace we are running this night. The Church fellowship area is fuller than usual so DeAnn and I set at separate tables.
Something that is said reminded me that on 1/29 this year DeAnn and I were busy and really didn’t do anything on our anniversary, not even our customary trip to McDonalds for a chocolate milkshake. Then I remember my morning commentary, its Valentine’s Day! She didn’t say happy Valentine’s Day to me, no card, no chocolate, no mention… of course I didn’t either, but this is my blog.
Now I am in a funk. We go home and little is said, we finish a few chores quietly. DeAnn has been feeling ill so she takes some medicine, showers, and goes to bed. I am in a funk, mad but not, disappointed at her but not, disappointed or mad at myself maybe, not really sure.
I get up this morning, breakfast, coffee, off to work, not a word from her about missing Valentine’s Day. In the office by 6:30. I open my work from the previous day, make a few edits, add some wording about the overnight markets. I am ready to post my latest insightful market thoughts and checked the date………….. “2/14/2013” ???
We don’t get many do overs but I do and I got some fresh Carmel Delights setting in the corner of my office for someone special.
When you are disappointed by others, first check inwardly for some error.
David
