Don’t blame the wind for it blows with no care.
Don’t blame the rocks for the flesh they would tear.
Don’t blame your wings for the strength they must find.
Don’t blame the sun for the eyes it does blind.
Don’t see the course as too long or too sheer.
Don’t see the drop as penance to fear.
Don’t see the ridge as the end of the road.
Don’t see the flowers as a jealousy to goad.
Look to the wind for the lift it provides.
Look to the rocks for the boundary to glide.
Look to your wings for the power they possess.
Look to the sun for the warmth it begets.
Do see the course for a path to reveal.
Do see the drop for motivating appeal.
Do see the ridge as a link in the chain.
Do see the flowers as friends on the way.
Some loops bring you forward
Some swerves set you back.
The journey’s rarely straight lines
We must be ready to tack.
So drink in the sun
Make the toil delight.
Keep beating your wings
And your life will take flight.
Make It a Good Story 
My inspiration for this poem came from when recently I watched a small pale yellow butterfly fight its way up a steep cliff.
My family and I were staying at a small resort in Vieques for a few days and one my favorite things we did was have coffee each morning on chairs or sitting on a tree branch at the edge of the earth overlooking the ocean.
The winds were brisk with downdrafts and updrafts sweeping the small creature to their will.
But the butterfly was undeterred.
Two feet forward and then one sideways. Then five back, but then ten forward and six sideways and two back. And on and upward.
Its wings labored steadily without stopping.
Using its instincts and passion for flight to get where it needed to go.
For two minutes I watched this brave small creature fight forces it seemed so powerless against.
Huge head winds, blinding tail winds, jagged rocks ahead.
It finally made its way above the cliff and didn’t tary or do a celebratory circle or fly by.
It just continued on its journey.
I have to admit that I felt like that butterfly a bit in 2016. A home renovation project that was unnecessarily stressful, seven months late and way over budget. A challenging year for retail with unexpected consumer spending tightening all year until the election was over. Great forces seemed to conspire.
But I, like my butterfly brother, have made it up the cliff. The winds kept buffeting me, but I kept going. The rocks that loomed ominously cost me some sleep, but I kept going.
I’m so fortunate to have a strong team at work and a strong family at home.
I look forward to a great 2017.
A new determination in our business.
A new home for our family.
That butterfly didn’t need to adjust its attitude. Its instincts and evolutionary brilliance pushed it forward.
I, on the other hand, need constant recalibration. Every morning, every night and many times in between.
Focus on my attitude and focus on what I can control.
We can’t control the winds or the rocks, but we can certainly control our wings.
Keep flying high all.
Happy 2017.