I just experienced perhaps the most ironic incident of Mur-
phy’s Law in my 20-year career. Let me give you the back story first. The last time I was in New Orleans was in 2000. My bag was lost in transit, along with all my maternity clothing for the meeting I was about to run. Of course, I spilled something all over myself on the plane and upon arrival, had nothing to change into. With my meeting beginning in a few hours, my only option was the hotel gift shop where the only thing in my pregnancy size was a horrific man’s t-shirt that said “Smoooth Jazz.” Ugh. Last month, I had the opportunity to go to New Or-
leans again, this time as a speaker. I was forced to gate-check my bag, which of course was lost en route. As Murphy’s Law would have it, the bag would not be delivered to me until an hour after my speaking engagement was to begin. That’s not much help when you’ve lost all your business cloth- ing and makeup and you’re in yoga pants, a hoodie and running shoes. You’ll never believe my speaking topic that morning: Murphy’s Law! Fortunately, I found a 24-hour store where I was able to get basic toiletries, makeup and a clean shirt to wear. The best
reality check I could have had was en route to the store in my frustrated huff that morning. I passed a homeless man in a wheelchair and he had no legs. Someone asked him how his day was going. He simply smiled and said, “It is what it is, baby.” It really put my whole inconvenience into perspective. I could easily replace what I had lost, he could not. Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, a challenge seems insurmountable and like it’s the end of the world. A little perspective sure can help. So next time Murphy’s Law intervenes at one of your events, just remember the guy who’s probably still on that street corner in New Orleans. Then remember to keep everything in perspective, fix what you can and move past what you cannot.
Shawna Suckow, CMP, is a veteran planner and the Founder of SPIN:Senior Planners Industry Network (www.spinplanners. com) and The Hive Network (
www.thehivenetwork.org). She’s the author of Planner Pet Peeves and Supplier Pet Peeves, both available on Amazon. She is an award-winning speaker to audiences worldwide on audience engagement, supplier-planner relations and other meetings industry topics.
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
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