Unintended Consequences

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By Cheryl Benson

Twitter: http://twitter.com/calcables

Cheryl Benson is a 47-year-old, wife and mother of four children, Alex, Zach, Sara and Elizabeth (ages 18, 16, 12 and 7 respectively). Cheryl currently holds the position of Vice President at Cal Manufacturing, Inc., which is a company that manufactures resistance welding cables. Cheryl is also the sole proprietor of her own business, Medical Transcription Services, which allowed her to work at home and raise her small children during their formative years and which she still maintains. Managing four children, one of whom just graduated high school and will be entering college this fall and the youngest who is just finishing her year of first grade ensures that life is never devoid of drama, that schedules are still full of first grade programs and piano lessons as well as the joys that accompany raising children. As life often does on a dime, it changed due to the fact that the company is family-owned and succession was inevitable, Cheryl is now balancing two businesses and the challenges of being a working mother. While not new to the resistance welding cable industry (the company has been in her family for over a decade and the business itself has been running for over half a century), the challenges that present themselves in running a primarily male-dominated industry are inherent. Her professional, yet fun-loving approach to the business world is key to success in driving sales, attending expos and conventions, managing daily operations and exploring new markets for the resistance welding cable industry as well as being a "CEO Mom".

Unintended Consequences

Posted on August 13, 2011

Many things happen in our lives that cause us to change directions or that lead us down another path whether we have anticipated them or not. So, I call them "unintended consequences" or a "paradox". Along the way, we seek some short-term inspiration to keep us on the "yellow brick road".

As humans, I believe we are somewhat hard-wired to stay on a path that is comfortable, simple and a known factor. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, it can potentially keep us from checking out a different path and it's potential rewards. For example, what if we took the path that lead us to a "bigger paycheck" or a "bigger home". Maybe a better way to look at it is to see ourselves choosing the path that leads us to not define the end in terms of successes of wealth or possessions but in finding true happiness, love and peace within.

When we lose someone to illnesses or an accident, suffer job loss or financial disasters we are forced to face significant changes in our lives. These unintended consequences can take their toll on our self-esteem and make us question the meaning of life. I may not know the answers, but I can tell you to remember to tune into the present moment. Take some time to just exist. Take notice of the things going on around you like your child playing, watch a storm that comes and goes. Taking some time to just "sit with the world" is often necessary to allow you the time to recoup, regroup and take charge.

"You can not travel the path until you have become the path itself." -Buddha.

Once you find yourself you will then see the path to a more meaningful existence instead of the path of least resistance, which is our human nature to seek.