Moving forward ...

Here I am, on the aptly named Sunset Drive in Miami, feeling like it's getting dark. I just had my performance review and for the first time in 7 years, I received an average rating. In the recent past, the Good and Very Good ratings I've attained are deserved on the back of both high growth of the business both on the personal as well on the system front. This is therefore not unexpected. I did hope for better, on the back of stepping into a new global role. That said, I know I have yet to secure my seat at this high table. So, hope remains.

Walking around Sunset Place, a stereotypical American mall, with my performance appraisal still percolating in my mind, He reached out. A store under renovation had smartly pasted famous quotes in the covered windows. One that spoke directly to me was Helen Keller's "Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence". 

I was in Sunset Place primarily to visit the Barnes & Noble store there. I bought 19 items. A tote bag that snugly contained 17 vinyl records,  and a leather bound gilt edged King James Bible. The records are an ecelectic mix, as usual. From a couple of Beatles and MJ albums to folk classics of Neil Young and Van Morrison, Green Day's iconic Dookie, Journey's Greatest Hits, even a YoYo Ma orchestral record and one that simply called to me: Frank Sinatra sings out "Come Fly With Me".

The best revenge, Old Blue Eyes once said, is massive success. With that thought in mind, I am moving forward.