It’s been 25 weeks since I started the weekly gratitude posts at Adversity University. I continue to be astounded over the fact that regardless of how my week went, I always manage to find something to be grateful for.
This week I went to Las Vegas to give a closing keynote presentation for the Michigan-based Risk Management Institute. They sponsored a national conference for hospital CEO’s, nurses, doctors and other health care professionals.
My topic, “Transforming Adversity into Success,” was very well received and for that I am exceedingly grateful.
Since it was my first time there, I booked myself an extra night at my own expense so that I could enjoy a bit of sightseeing.
Let me tell you, it was amazing to see a bunch of people gambling at all hours! I watched with utter fascination dealers who expertly dealt the cards, laid out the chips in neat rows and then took them away in one fell swoop whenever the players lost. People from all walks of life gambled with a mixture of fun and seriousness. For them, there were no shortages of cocktails delivered by shapely, attractive women who seemed to enjoy working there. The entire gambling scene was mesmerizing for this first-time visitor!
Did I gamble, you ask me? Nah. I was content to just watch. Maybe next time.
After the presentation, I went for a swim in one of several pools behind the MGM Grand Hotel. The air was very dry and moderately hot (around the high 80’s), causing my lips to burn and crack at the corners. After I had enough of that, I took a long stroll on the strip, very much looking like a tourist, taking plenty of pictures.
Despite the so-called recession, I was surprised to see a $7 billion construction project taking place on the strip. It was fascinating to watch workers, the size of tiny ants, working several hundred feet above the ground and the cranes do their thing.
Amazing!!
I’m also very thankful that I was reunited with an old friend that I used to fly with when I was living in Michigan. Nick is now a very successful businessman who volunteered to tape my presentation on Tuesday morning. I was so grateful that I treated him to a delicious lunch at famed Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant inside the MGM Grand Hotel. The food was so good that I ended up treating myself to a fabulous Wolfgang Puck steak dinner later that night!
Note: I have several more photos for you but I am having trouble inserting them here so I’ll save them for a new post tomorrow. I’m still learning how to use the photo feature at Wordpress so please bear with me. We’ve got some really good ones coming up so stay tuned!
Food for Thought: Have you been to Vegas before? If so, let us know about your experiences!
This post (see link below) was written and copyrighted by Stephen J. Hopson at: Adversity University Blog
End of the Week Gratitude Theme #25
Share This
