Deb Smouse

I haven’t talked much about work or really even personal stuff lately, have i?

Work first.  Busy and I love it.

I have made no bones about loving what I do, and I still believe that the sign of being a  success in my business is not about the balance in my bank account or the number of clients in my roster - it is about getting up each morning and looking forward to parts of my work….and knowing that I am making things easier for my clients….that is when I know I am a success.  Being happy in what I am doing with a zest for work and ending the day with knowing that I am satisfied is huge to me on a personal level.

I am a focused individual and I like to be busy.  I have also realized how important professionalism is to me.  I have been fortunate to witness incredible professionalism in the face of stress - and I’ve also been unfortunate to be witness to folks behaving in a very unprofessional manner.  The former makes me strive to be a better person - and always keep my professionalism about me in every situation.  The latter makes me sad - not for myself, but that the person has so little self-respect, that they cannot maintain their professional behavior and become petty.

I’ve also recently witnessed a total breach of trust with a former client and colleague, and that made me a little angry.  And, in honestly, disappointment in the parties.

Maybe it’s a little Pollyanna-ish of me, but I believe in my heart that if you treat others the way you want to be treated, that you are all the better for it.

So, that, my friends, are my thoughts on work these days.

Personal is pretty much the same as it has been.  We won’t talk about my blood pressure, but we can pretend we did.  ‘Nough said about that…..

I saw the Pilot Guy for my birthday when we were able to mesh our schedules to be in the same city at the same time.  It was one of those times where we both had to go out of our way to make it happen…but I’m glad we did (and am assuming he was glad, too).  We didn’t do anything extra special - just relax time.  He had asked me to meet him this week, but there were no direct flights from DC to where he is……and I just couldn’t pull it off.  He is in the middle of a move, which puts more miles between us….especially with me on the East Coast most of the time.  But such is life.

I am well aware of the realities of that relationship, by the way.  The foremost is that he will always be my friend if I allow it.  Nothing changes the fact that I love him dearly and am blessed to have him in my life.  But I also know that there will come a point when I am wanting something more.  Now, however, isn’t that time.

I am in DC through the weekend.  I have some work that will need to be done - report, document work, etc. - and to be honest leaving late on Friday and needing to be back on Sunday is a wasted airplane ticket.  Besides, I love DC.  It still speaks to the very soul of me.  So, I will also take advantage of any free time I have….and get into the city to see….things.    I need to get my camera out and take some new photos.  I may also head to the movies (hello.  Sex and the City!)  - even if I go by myself.   I have friends in DC, but some of them are out of town this weekend.  I had no clue how many folks were at BEA, by the way.

So, tell me.  How are you?