Those Who Seek Will Find
Sep 21 2008

Photo by Sandy Blanchard

Yes, the title of this post is another fortune from a fortune cookie I got a few weeks back at PF Changs, and I’ve found it true in many respects in my life and career.  [As an aside, I started this post while listening to Chiquitita by ABBA and after a glass of red wine!  I’m usually not able to write or think while music is on because I’m easily distracted so take that into consideration as you read.]

The title of this post is also in a well known Christian Bible verse in the book of Luke Chapter 11 verse 9 (“And I say to you, ask and it shall be given to you: seek, and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you.“). I believe when you set your intention on something, if it’s with pure intentions, and if it’s meant to be something will happen.  It may not be what you envision but something happens.  I guess it’s sort of a cross between the belief that many people hold like Edward Mills, who writes about the Law of Attraction, and taking destiny in your hands.  You seek but you also pay attention to what people are saying and doing. 

I’ve had people tell me I’m lucky to a) start a company before, b) to get the education I’ve gotten, c) to find the amazing childcare for our kids, for d) having the friends I have, d) to have the things we do, e) etc., etc., etc.  What most people haven’t seen is the hard, dark times in between that I’ve been through.  I’d venture to say that most people who the world perceives as doing something beyond “normal” have struggled through many things. 

I’ve always felt there is a healthy portion of luck involved but also a good portion of seeking, asking questions, and listening involved.   Finding good childcare (gosh we are so lucky with the people we had take care of our kids part time and full time when they were little and where they go to school and pres-school now — knock on wood!) didn’t just happen because I sat on my couch all day.  Finding good jobs or opportunities didn’t happen because I was watching TV or drowning my sorrows (which is tempting!).  Plus, I think I like to see the good in people and expect great things from them so when I do get disappointed, it is pretty deep. 

So just over a month ago, I finally let the realization that I could not continue with Babble Soft with a day job and no funding, and I needed to do something different hit me.  There are many options out there including a) moving on to something else, b) finding a business partner, c) finding a large baby-related company to take the risk early on and buy us.  Given the economy and the hard realization that we are in fact creating a market with Babble Soft, option c) is unlikely.  And I’m not ready to just give up.  So now I’m seeking a business partner (so I’m not just a lone pumpkin by a tree).  Hopefully, the right person will happen across my path…maybe she or he already has! 

I’m wrapping up this post listening to 70s music…for some reason I enjoy listening to 70s music.  I also enjoy 80s music but there is just a deepness to 70s music that resonates with me sometimes.  The song currently on is Piano Man written by Billy Joel.  I was fortunate enough to hear Billy Joel in Concert when I lived in Dallas several years ago and I remember thinking to myself “What a feeling it must be to hear hundreds, nay thousands, of people singing along word for word to a song you’ve written.”  It must be so energizing yet so surreal at the same time.  I wonder if I’ll ever experience that kind of feeling…

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