Three years ago during an all employee meeting at Taylor Made Golf Equipment, the CEO asked the crowd of hundreds, “Would anyone like to share an idea they have for our upcoming year?” One young lady in the back of the room raised her slender hand and offered, “Sir, have you ever considered painting our new driver white?” Heads turned, snickers followed. Can you imagine?

But the CEO was intuitive enough to say, “Wait. Have we ever thought of test marketing the idea?” From the stunned crowd, “Really? A year later prominent on the PGA Tour? A flurry of Taylor Made drivers… painted white. The point? You never know where the next great idea is going to come from.

Today is Nancy’s and my 46th Wedding Anniversary. Yesterday I was in our local Publix food store. Scrambling. “Oh, dear God, what should I get her?” It’s tomorrow! Three great cards. Three. What else?! Really scramblin’ now. Flowers are always nice. Ah ha! Look! Yellow tulips in a planting pot. Yellow… her favorite color. Perfect.Relieved I’d found the best gift, I casually asked Kimberly, the check out gal.. proudly. “It’s my 46th wedding anniversary. How ’bout these? “The truth, sir? They look a little skimpy to me.”… “Huh!… Really?” “Sir, there are some gorgeous flowers over their.

See those beautiful lilies. Bring ’em over here.”She even picked out a vase. Because she couldn’t leave her check out line, she called over to the gal in Customer Service. “Can you help this gentleman cut the stems off his flowers? “Sure!” The customer service lady replied … “I work part time at a florist. I’ll cut these so we won’t damage the flowers.” Wow! Oh, wow! Two people I might never have asked … saved my ass.I returned home. “Nance, (fingers and toes crossed) Happy Anniversary!!” “Oh, Bob, lilies are my favorite!” How did you know?” “Oh honey, I can still surprise you after 46 wonderful years of marriage, can’t I.” Of course.I love surprises. So whether it was the receptionist at at Taylor Made or my two guardian angels at Publix… wonderful things abound. If we’re just simply smart enough to ask… and then listen.