Laser Pointers

Today I ordered a laser pointer from Amazon.com. I do a lot of my shopping from there because I really hate going into stores. Amazon sends me things in 2 days to the comfort of my own home. I wish all of life were so simple.

One aspect of my job at Optum is to train business analysts (BA's). I really enjoy this part of my work. I design and develop courses about processes and practices, then I deliver the courses to colleagues. How lucky am I?! I get to talk about things I really enjoy! I get to teach and learn at the same time.

Yesterday, for his 60th birthday present, my husband Mark asked if he could come to watch one of my classes. It was a riot to have him there. Last night he and I talked for hours about how to improve my courses. One suggestion he made was to have a laser pointer to use during class. (Mark is full of great ideas; it is awesome how he takes an interest in what I do.)

So in 2 days, with no shipping costs or tax, I will have a laser pointer.

But it suddenly occurred to me: laser pointers are a big responsibility! You need to be careful what you point out to people. You have to make sure it really matters. Whether it be the RSA process to your colleagues, the benefits to your stake-holders, your property line to your neighbors, your "must haves" to your attorney, your deductions to the IRS, your line in the sand to another country, or your values to your kids, people are more likely to remember what you say when you are brandishing a laser.

So let this laser pointer remind me to renew my passion to take my responsibilities in life seriously, because the $19 dollar laser pointer I just bought may seem harmless.

But it can still burn someone's retina.