I am ready for today...
I look at the woman on my right, and her face is serious and sad.
She steps as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders.
The gentleman on my left, I can see, running through in his mind all of the minutia of the day. He reassembles his lunch box under his arm, his umbrella on his bag and tightens his back pack loop.
The other woman smiling, and her mind, I believe is on 5 o'clock and going home. This is just a work day that will happen before her real day.
"Great cologne" she smiles warmly and sincerely. "Thank you" I say.
"Almost to the top" she says as she sees me hit the 11 button on the panel.
"Still working hard to get there..." I respond.
Me...
I am just smiling and inhaling as the elevator rises.
Truly happy everyday to be working in a building that inspires me... It's an intangible I know... but it matters to me that I go to a place to work that I am proud of... that fills me up with possibility.
We all stand in formation staring at the mirrored doors waiting for our numbers to be called... ready to dive into the day like military men waiting to deploy from the airplane and hoping our 'chutes open.
"4"... the lunch box exits into a partially light hallway...
Three of us left.
"6"... smiles exits the elevator wishing everyonea great day... hoping it will go by quick.
"8"... the woman exits without looking up... the fear of the upcoming day coming to light... the dark beige walls begging for light.
I see the weight on their shoulders. I feel the complexity of their day. I sense them living it already as we ride up.
And. I am grateful that I ride up free and ready... I ride up hopeful and excited... I ride up realistic that not everything will go as I expect, but that today I can make a difference.
I ride up mindful that for all of our faults... for all of my faults... we are inspired... I am inspired by the possibility of today... by how far we have come...
"11"... the doors slide open and light fills the elevator.... I exhale and my smile gets bigger...
The blue "EMG" logo makes me smile... It's been a fun ride up... the sun rising into view and the horizon welcoming all newcomers....
"GOOD MORNING BALTIMORE" I shout in my best imitation of Robin Williams playing Adrian Cronauer in Good Morning Vietnam...
It's GAME TIME...
We've got a long road ahead...
There will be lots of hard spots, I know.
And, the sun is shining...
I can't help but smile.
BETTER is POSSIBLE...
Again...
today.
When your doors slide open today...
how will you feel?
In harmony,
Nestor