CASBO

A couple weeks back I presented to the Connecticut Association of School Business Officials (CASBO). This was a spin-off engagement from the Connecticut Society of Association Executives I presented to last fall. Sharon Bruce was in the audience that day and felt I’d be a good fit to keynote her conference. It was also the first gig I haven’t had to fly to in quite some time. The enjoyable two and a half hour drive to the upper coast of Long Island Sound consisted of NPR/rock out leap frog and I arrived in a chipper mood an hour before my scheduled presentation.

The folks were warm and welcoming and I truly felt “on” while doing my thing. The most memorable aspect of the trip was speaking with a woman whose boyfriend, Don, had recently lost his leg in a motorcycle accident. This gentleman was a lifelong biker, a safety guru having attended several classes on the subject, his last being only a few months ago.  She told me that Don took that road home every day and always rode within his means. Sometime after he came out of his three-day coma she asked him what happened: “I brainfarted” was his response.

I’m not writing about this to advocate against motorcycles but to remind you that any day could bring a major life change, oftentimes unwelcomed and extremely painful in every sense. It’s no secret that I believe we all benefit from our obstacles, but I do not wish this type of challenge on anyone—I’m also well aware that my soapbox has a big hole in it—so keep your on your eyes open and do your best to keep gas from leaking from your head.