Well, it just happened!

Have you ever attended a meeting and walked away thinking it was a total waste of time? That you could have utilized the time much more productively in some other way? Somehow, I believe we’ve all had that experience and probably have been a bit soured by it.

So, why do we keep attending meetings when our presence is entirely voluntary? Why indeed…

Over the years, I’ve been present for many gatherings and meetings. The reason for my presence could be that the meeting theme interests me and/or baffles me. Yet, for some reason, I’m there and in most cases, the results are positive.

But it’s not just the subject of the meeting that might be fulfilling. It could be the people you meet there and the conversations you have with them. Social interaction is an important part of any meeting and that brings us to I just encountered.

Walking into the back of the meeting room, I had a nervous vibe. The folks there were polite and welcoming but the vibe kept getting more pronounced. My mind wondered what was going to happen and why did I feel so uncomfortable?

During the course of the meeting, the people griped about petty things: they didn’t like a picture hanging on a certain wall, the hallways of the building were not filled with chairs and plants (I wondered if anyone ever thought about emergency evacuations) and the list went on for some time. The one thought that kept running through my head? What am I doing here?

It’s times like these one is left speechless.

We have all encountered a natural phenomenon that has left us speechless. The first time I walked to the edge of the Grand Canyon I couldn’t even say the word: “Wow!” For a prairie boy to see the ocean for the first time was awesome — what a wonder! When you are driving along a highway and reach the top of a hill and the view extends for miles and miles filled with whatever beauty there is at that time of the year — the range of natural beauty stops my speech.

After each such occurrence, somewhere later in the day, I sip, think and try to put into words what I’ve been honored to see and feel. Speaking of sipping, a number of beverages have left me speechless. For example…

The first time I had a snifter of Red Breast 12 Year Old Whiskey it overwhelmed my ability to explain its flavor. I literally stopped and tried to explain the beautiful full flavor that flooded my taste buds. The flavors of hazelnut and spice coupled with its very neat and clean finish were, at the moment, beyond my vocabulary. It’s an absolute beautiful whiskey and worth your time, anytime.

How about that moment when you first hold a newborn child or when you are seeing your daughter, sons and grandchildren after a long time apart? Yes, there are squeals of laughter and excitement but give me the words to describe such moments.

The first time I tasted Chateau Ste Michelle’s Cabernet Sauvignon stopped me cold. What am I tasting? Not the usual black cherry and heavy tannins found in so many Cabernet Sauvignons but a softness and mellow pleasing vanilla taste — so good! If in a restaurant and it’s on the wine list, it calls me to taste it and talk to it.

Cognac is a delight to me. It’s such a pleasing beverage to either silently consume or in the company of family and friends. Heck, I’ll even drink it with not so friendly people! One has to go a long way to get a cognac that’s better than Courvoisier VSOP. Here’s a beverage that will let you relax — there’s no need to try to explain it because it’s just so darn good. Revel in your time with it…

Do you remember the first time you saw that very special person in your life? What did you say to yourself about that person? Was an exclamation of excitement or could all you do was look? Life is filled with such moments and the big question is what do we learn from them.

Perhaps the answer is hope. The hope that the person, place or beverage will give us a sense of awe — the sense of awe that reveals life’s circle coming together. May you have such experiences — recognize them and learn from them. Even if it’s an absolutely wasted time in a meeting.

As always, eat and drink in moderation but laugh with reckless abandon!

Cheers!