By Jeff Pett
The last few weeks have brought me more than their share of times for reflection on what is important in life. We often get so wrapped up in our day-to-day work-lives that we lose this perspective.
Item #1
I skipped blogging in September because I had the opportunity to spend two weeks on an in-depth study tour in Israel. No matter what your religious persuasion, or lack of one, you cannot help but be in awe of the major lines of historical influence that run through this land. This part of the world is rich in the history of the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faiths. Hiking in the desert of southern Israel, we were within 5 miles of the Egyptian border in this hot, dry, desolate place. We hiked in the desert for 5 days… I cannot imagine what 40 years would be like! We spent several days in the Dead Sea area (1,400 feet BELOW sea level!), one of those days hiking in and around where the site of the Dead Sea scrolls discovery. Mysteries are still being revealed today from those scrolls. The dedication of the people who made sure the old scriptures were recorded faithfully is unmatched by anything we do today.
When we spent a day in the “occupied territories” along the Jordanian boarder, we had to pick up an armed guard who spent the day with us, rifle slung over his shoulder, to protect us. He rode on the bus sitting on the floor by the front door and went out on each hike. We walked within a stones through of Lebanon and up through the Golan Heights within a few miles of Syria. One day our Israeli guide told us what it is like living in a country where all of your neighbors would like to kill you. He reminded us that, “These are not Canadians!”
For 5 days we were based in a kibbutz on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee hiking and studying within the 3 square miles where Jesus spent most of his 3 years of recorded ministry. We walked “in His footsteps” in wonder at how those teachings spread into today’s Christian faith. And how strongly that is rooted in the Jewish faith.
Two and a half days were spent in Jerusalem exploring on foot, overlooking the city from the Mount of Olives, to the temple mount controlled by the Palestinians, to the western wall, just a few feet from the temple mount, packed with the Jewish faithful praying. One afternoon we left our Israeli bus, driver, and guide to cross the “border” into Bethlehem, also Palestinian controlled, to visit a man-made “mountain” where there is a significant archeological dig on one of Herod’s many palaces. The tension in Jerusalem and the surrounding area is palpable. The history is overwhelming.
It was an unbelievable 13 days of hiking, studying, and experiencing the geography and the culture in a way you can only understand by being there. One of the young men along offered this observation: “I heard and I forgot; I saw and I remembered; I did and I understood.” Perspective.
Item #2
After being home for 4 days our corporate leadership team of eight headed off to a retreat in a cabin “up north” in Michigan for three days of evaluating where we are and where we are going as a company. Orders are down, shipments are down, our team is on reduced hours. We want to grow the business but we are going to come in at well under plan for this fiscal year. Our company is unusual in that we are 100% employee-owned (there is no “Mr. Fleetwood”) and profess to operate in a Christ-centered manner. We are also debt-free. We spent much of the time up north figuring out what we think will happen in our market over the next 18 to 24 months. But more time was spent trying to plan how to fairly contain our costs by cutting back on hours and spending, be responsible to our “share-holders” (everyone who works here), and yet invest going forward in product and sales efforts that will position us well as we come out of these difficult economic times. I have worked in bigger companies and smaller ones, and been through similarly tough financial times, but I have never seen such deep concern around the “leadership roundtable” to do the “right thing” for our customers and our team. This truly is a unique place. Perspective.
Item #3
As I write this blog I am sitting on an airplane returning to Holland, MI after spending the last several days on the west coast with some great dealers we are privileged to work with and some delightful end-customers (school administrators and teachers) in California, Oregon, and Washington. The story is similar to what we are hearing across the country from other dealers and schools: “this year is down, our team is working together to get through it, and we are fortunate to work with great people.” Everybody is dealing with “soft” sales, and every school seems to have unusual issues finding money to do their job to educate children. But everyone seems to be adjusting to the prevailing conditions, figuring out ways to make lemonade out of lemons, even if it isn’t as sweet as we would prefer. Perspective.
Item #4
While on the west coast one morning this week I got an email from the home office informing that one of our bright young engineers had suffered a heart attack at work and died in the hospital shortly thereafter. Our team responded well per plan and training, the paramedics were there quickly, but a 31-year-old engineer, husband, and father is no longer with us. Too young! Tragic! We don’t understand why bad things happen to good people. Sometimes we suffer through things that no one should have to bear. But often in the worst of times we see the best in people. Mike Hall will be greatly missed at the Fleetwood Group, by his friends and his family. We do work with good people. Perspective.
Life is short. Be sure to get outside of your work-a-day box occasionally to take a good hard look at what is important, and let’s make sure we keep things in perspective.
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