Hello, everyone. It’s Dick Heatherton here. Welcome to my personal Blog.
It’s a new world and a new marketplace, and I’m excited to be able to communicate with you on my Blog like this.

I’ll be sharing information, strategies, and stories to help you bring clarity and focus into your life. 

I’ll be doing some writing, and since I’m a radio guy I’ll also be recording some audio messages and readings for you.
Here’s a little audio welcome…

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It’s amazing how things can change without even a moment’s notice?

Let me tell you what happened to me recently.

It was New Years Day. My wife and I are out in Marina del Rey, CA on an absolutely picture perfect Chamber of Commerce kind of day. It was a far cry from the howling winds, freezing temperatures and the non-stop snow that had taken hold in the rest of lower 48.

No wind, just total calm and not a cloud in the sky. Picture this: It’s 70 degrees at 9am in the morning and I’m taking it all in while walking around the harbor gazing with envy at sailboats and kyacks gliding by effortlessly on their way to the Pacific. What a sight!

Then, I trip over one of those embedded sprinklers. No big deal.

But, while trying to regain my balance, I run right into a light pole and my right arm takes the brunt of the mishap. It’s hanging at my side at a very odd angle. The arm doesn’t even feel like it’s a part of me.

Six hours later, the emergency room doctor finally sets the arm temporarily until I get to see an orthopedist specialist 3 days later.

The arm has now been set three times.

Lesson learned #1: Never go to the emergency room over a holiday weekend. There are no specialists on call. Specialists specialize in being unavailable on holiday weekends. That’s why they’re called Specialists.

Lesson learned #2: Things change at a moment’s notice, even if you’re not prepared.

Lesson learned #3. Don’t overlook the effect of shock. When conditions are altered substantially, it can be quite traumatic. You don’t think clearly.

It doesn’t matter if you break your arm, can’t pay your bills, lose your job, etc. it affects you mentally and you find your communication skills are off by a beat or two.

Lesson learned #4. Pain can be exhausting. It’s startling when you realize your energy reserves can become depleted.

So, what are you going to do? You’re in the hospitality biz. Your life isn’t your own. It’s constant change but it’s change in an environment that’s not uncommon to you and you’ve learned to deal with change within that spectrum.

But, unexpected change? What do you do?

You adapt. But, it’s not all that easy. Unexpected change always comes at the most inconvenient times. You adapt but with a lot of frustration and turmoil and then, you have to know what you need to adapt to.

In my case, I use my right hand for everything. Now, I can’t. The right arm is broken and in a cast all the way down to my hand.

But, I can’t stop. I’ve got things to do. So, I’ve learned to type, shave, wash, dress and drive with one hand. I’ve learned to adapt.

It’s frustrating and everything takes 3 to 4 times longer; especially typing.

This isn’t a pity party piece. It’s real life.

For me, it’s showed me that I have to start over. I have no choice.

It reminds me of the old Woody Allen line, “Death is nature’s way of telling you to slow down.”

We are all in such a hurry today dictated by the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

And, even when we know we need to stop and think things through, we dismiss that notion as impractical because it seems unproductive. It’s like, who has the time and if you need to plan, plan on the run.

I’ve been forced to slow down. I’ve been forced to plan. The orthopedist told me if I don’t take it easy, I might have to go in for an operation on the arm, which will take me out of action an additional 3 months.

If that occurs, then I’m out of commission until June. So, I’m slowing down. Hey, I’m a speaker. That’s how I make my money and showing up in huge body cast that makes me look like I’m pregnant and carrying twins doesn’t necessarily inspire most audiences.

I’m talking about what I’m going through and suggesting that you slow down.

If you’re going through your own tough time, sure, it’s frustrating, painful and traumatic and you want to rectify the situation now.

And now, can’t come soon enough. You get impatient, fly off the handle and take your frustrations out on everyone around you.

If that’s the case and you’ve done your damage, make the necessary apologies and move on.

You’ve been fighting change. So, allow calm to come into your life so that you can think with focus and strategize clearly.

Sometimes these down times come into our lives because we wouldn’t otherwise take the time.

Good luck. I know what you’re going through.

By the way, anybody need a very good one armed speaker?

I’m available.

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