Loggers, builders urged to respond to economic challenges and not quit

Guest speaker Roger Crawford asked the audience to tie together the past, present and future at the kick-off celebration of Sierra Cascade Logging Conference.

"Where have you been? How long have you been there? Where are you going?" Crawford asked.

The speaker had an uplifting message for members at the loggers conference, who are celebrating the past 60 years of logging industry, while facing current industry challenges.

"It's how we respond to our challenges that will define our lives," the speaker said.

Crawford has overcome a rare birth-defect that affects his limbs, to become one of the most accomplished physically challenged athletes of the world. He also shares his story and inspiration.

"A broken spirit is much more disabling than a broken body," Crawford said. "How we think about life determines how we feel. How we feel determines how we act. And how we act reveals our possibilities."

Logging Conference emcee Bill Dennison said: "Roger reminds of all of the dreams we've ever had and maybe we didn't accomplish them because we thought we weren't intelligent enough, or maybe someone discouraged us from doing it."

The guest speaker's mission is to encourage listeners to believe "I really can do that," Dennison said.

Scott Schneider of Anderson said he has been coming to the breakfast for three years, and the quality of speakers really stands out.

"He's an excellent speaker," Schneider said. "It's all positive."

"With everything we've got going on in the world, you can always feel down about it and look at the negatives. But that's not going to get you anywhere, it's being positive and moving forward," Schneider said.