Anyone who really knows me knows I love “The Wizard of Oz.” It’s one of few movies I’ll watch again and again. In fact, coming from the Midwest, I like to view it every spring, when tornado season kicks in and ol’ Mother Nature shows us who really is in charge.

I love the simplicity of the story – learning that what’s really important in life is having the courage to think creatively, figure out how to get things done, and forge ahead; having compassion for others and trying to see things from their point of view; using your brain and appreciating it to be one of the most valuable gifts you have been given; and cherishing home and all it stands for. Many of these realizations are directly related to attitude, aren’t they?

Attitude is everything. We can look at situations as opportunities, choose to see the bright side of things, build people and projects up, and speak with energy, compassion, and encouragement. We can be good listeners, good friends, and thoughtful colleagues … always learning, always growing, always offering a hand and giving our support.

Here at DEETER we strive to deliver our best counsel, superior work, and successful end products to clients. Treating each client and situation as unique, we always put their best interests and goals at the forefront of our activities. And we listen. How else can we truly understand their needs and dreams, and help them move forward on the road to success? The trust, confidence, and satisfaction we receive from them in return makes the extra time, effort, and determination we expend worthwhile.

Knowing that we do this – that we compassionately use the gifts we have been given to make a difference; that we thoughtfully strategize and seize daily opportunities; that we have the courage to offer our best counsel, though it may be different from what clients initially have in mind and is perhaps what they need to hear, not what they want to hear; and that we remain grounded with ethics, values, and an acceptance of the truly important things in life, gives me confidence. I can dance with the Munchkins, wear my ruby slippers boldly, and continue to look for those magnificent rainbows that represent ever-present, Technicolor opportunities that always appear on the horizon.