"Sleep, riches and health, to be truly enjoyed, must be interrupted." - Jean Paul Friedrich Richter

Man I was sick! I'll spare you the details, because, well, they don't matter. But trust me, a week ago Monday I was sick.

I was supposed to be leading a workshop that I was looking forward to doing - the first day of a two-day session. Not only did I feel bad physically, but I felt bad for the group, having to reshuffle their day and delay learning some skills and knowledge they wanted and needed. I also knew I would have to have a graceful recovery from a Customer Service perspective. As I lay in bed sick, I thought about all those things. And it made me feel worse.

It's been eight days now since I was sick. It was a twenty-four hour thing - and we did day one of the workshop on Tuesday and rescheduled the balance for yesterday. All is well with the Customer, the session went well and I feel great.

I learned some things from the twenty-four hour bug I had though. Valuable lessons that confirm one of my deepest beliefs, that when we really need to learn something, situations present themselves to provide us with the opportunity to learn those things.

What I learned

• I learned that it really wasn't as bad as I initially imagined it could be - the illness or the consequences!
  
• I learned that when I started thinking about solutions and answers, I felt (if only a little) better.
  
• I learned that the interruption of my health, even for a very short time, made me more mindful of the blessings of health I enjoy.
  
• I learned that if you show your care and commitment to your Customers when something goes wrong, they will stay with you, and perhaps (although it's too soon to tell) become more dedicated Customers in the long run.
  
• I learned that it helps to have your family around when you are sick.
  
• I learned that the smile of your son or daughter makes you feel a little better instantly!