Finding Opportunity in Frustration

My mother had a fond acquaintance with “they.”  She often referenced  they  in conversation.   They  always seemed to know the best restaurant.  They  said who was going to win an election.   They  knew the right kind of car to buy, where to shop for clothes, and would even tell you the best places to vacation.  I was fascinated with  they  even though I’m not sure if I ever met them. Years later I was introduced.   As the Human Resources Director for a large organization, in spite of the size of the agency, it was rare to realize moments of anonymity.  One day while riding in an elevator, a fellow passenger with whom I was not acquainted joined me.  During our 40 second ride I witnessed his agitation:  he ranted and raved about a personnel policy that he felt was unjust, not right, and unfair.  As he exited, he closed with, “I can’t believe  th...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUAYeN3Rp2E What frustrates you?   ·       Where are my keys? ·       Your order is out of stock. ·        I missed my flight. ·       We’ve selected someone else for the job. Finding the right inspiration for a written piece can oftentimes be frustrating for me.    It was for songwriter Robert Lamm as well. Lamm was maddingly annoyed.    It was in the wee hours of the morning.    Lamm explains: “I was living with a bunch of hippies up above Sunset Strip.    One of the advantages of this particular house was that it was in the Hollywood Hills and I could look out over the city late at night.    I wanted to describe the process of writing the song that I was writing.    So, ‘waiting for the break of day, searching for something to say, flashing lights against t...