"Pay attention to everything in life, even the bad things that happen, and treasure them as a potential life forming experience."

There were only a few seats left as I entered the classroom on the first day of my college freshman English class in late August 1960.  I’m sure there were 50-60 students sitting in that crowded room.  Another thing I really remember about that first day is that our English instructor looked over the room and told us that by the end of the semester there would be 30-40% fewer of us in the program.  The classes were just too crowded and forced attrition was necessary (this was a state college).  At the end of that first hour, she gave us an assignment to write an essay… I do not remember the topic.

I submitted that essay on time and a few days later our instructor passed out the grades.  I clearly remember her expressing surprise about how good they were, they exceeded her expectations.  In fact, she said, “There’s only one F.”  I remember thinking to myself, “What an idiot.”  Well you guessed it, I was the “F.”  That “F” scared the heck out of me and I worked like a hungry dog that semester and, of course, survived the class and earned graduation.

That was a life changing event for me.  Since that “F” I have never regarded myself much of a writer.  Now as Chairman and CEO of Machinery Systems I find myself writing stories about my customer visits and insights. While I lack writing confidence, I get a lot of enjoyment doing the interviews and putting these stories together.  Occasionally, someone actually tells me they enjoyed one of my stories.  It makes me feel so good.  I do not type well or fast.  I always need Charlotte’s (my assistant) magic fingers.  I always keep a dictionary and Thesaurus close by.  Even with all these obstacles I am having fun.  I would like to do a better job of story writing.  I should look into an English composition refresher course.

Why have I told you this story?  Charlotte tells me that my CEO letters are more interesting when I write about my personal experiences.  Hopefully, my stories are of interest to you and you gain from them.  If there’s another lesson here, it is to pay attention to everything in life, even the bad things that happen, and treasure them as a potential life forming experience.