Sometimes it just doesn't pay to worry!

October 26^th, 2007

Or I should have titled this, "Thoughts on the high and wild seas". I've been out of the country for the last couple of weeks on a well-deserved vacation -more specifically on a Mediterranean cruise! Beautiful weather - beautiful scenery - good education - great wine! It was great from Barcelona, Spain to Marseille, France to Monaco to Tuscany to Roma to the Amalfi coast to Sicily to Malta and then the troubles began . . .

A severe storm seemed to follow our ship for more than 24 hours as the plan originally was to sail to Santorini (I really wanted to see that Greek isle!) and then ultimately end our journey in Athens. Well 30 to 50 foot waves drove us to land in Athens one day early and miss Santorini. I luckily didn't get sick but plenty of the passengers and crew did. Quite an interesting experience I have to say.

The turbulent seas did cause me to reflect on what was a bit more important than the latest headache producing crisis in GR or the next challenge on the horizon regarding key community issues! Nothing like feeling you are in a pinball machine to give you a better perspective on what is important!

Upon returning home, I turned right around and drove to Dearborn for the annual Council of Michigan Foundations conference held this past Sunday through Tuesday. As the board chair of CMF, I am immensely proud of this fine organization as masterfully led by Rob Collier. I will write more about the tremendous speakers who really provided grist for the mill when thinking about "transforming the state of Michigan"!

I'm glad to be home in wonderful GR and no long riding the waves! And what did this entry have to do with philanthropy? Not a thing except it was a great respite for me to travel and enjoy the world!