This is my friend Steve. He’s one of my favorite people in the office:
Steve is one of our test engineers here at John Deere, and an integral member of our team. He is hardworking, honest, and always has a positive attitude.
I first met Steve about a year ago when I moved cross-country and started working in North Carolina. We shared a corner of a large cubical farm and both of us being early risers meant that we generally had some time to chat each day before most people showed up to work. I looked forward to those morning conversations, learning about him and his interests, but most of all, I loved his perspective on life.
I remember the first time he told me about Muscular Dystrophy, it was in passing, and it seemed to me he was determined to not let a disease define who he was. As the months went by, I noticed a wheelchair brought into our cubical and asked him about it. It was there in case of an emergency evacuation; he can’t move as fast as others. Then he said something that I doubt he even remembers, “I’m blessed that I still can…” and then went on to list a bunch of things that he still could do.
BLESSED?!
Here is a guy that has every reason to be angry at God and his response is faithfulness and thankfulness that he “still can”! I thought it was amazing and inspiring, and it was an affirmation for me to continue to focus on my own blessings and stop zeroing in on every problem I have. I needed to really consider my own perspective.
My Inspiration
Steve is no longer my cube mate, he had to move closer to the entry door to the factory, and just a few weeks ago I noticed he had a powered chair. We spoke a bit and he opened up about some of the difficulty he was facing: how tired he was, how he couldn’t play with his beautiful daughter, and how this chair was changing all of that for him. I found out that although the health insurance paid for the chair, they wouldn’t pay for the new, specially modified vehicle he had to buy to transport it. When I expressed shock at that, he merely responded, “It’s cool, I had this planned for a while.”
It’s cool?!
Here is a guy having to buy a car worth almost as much as a house due to his medical condition, getting no financial support to do so, and he can only talk about how it’s great that he was prepared and had enough income to take it on.
He told me another joke, we laughed for a bit, and I drove home. On my drive I began to think of how I would deal with what Steve is going through right now, and realized that I have a lot to learn from him. I also realized that I am wasting the blessing of good health. If i was unable to run, I’d probably complain about it, even though I rarely do it now. So I got back into the gym the next day.
Perspective
I was on the elliptical one morning not long after my decision to work out more when it hit me that a healthy body wasn’t the only blessing that so many people take for granted. We’re so preoccupied on having more, that we rarely stop to appreciate what we currently have. Our homes, our familes, our cars, a full belly. I’m not cold, wet, hungry, or tired. I’m not getting shot at, and i’m sleeping in a comfy bed with air conditioning. I have a comfortable pair of shoes and new clothes. I shower every day and have furniture in my house. I own several televisions, I have internet, a phone. The list goes on.
I have seen and lived among people that pray every day to be exactly where I am right now; am I thankful enough? Are you?
My friend is going through a tough time. This is the card he has been dealt, but instead of wallowing, he is inspiring. Instead of faltering, he is ever more faithful. Instead of depression, he spreads an infectious smile. I need to be more like Steve, and in the age of the victim, I think we ALL need to be more like Steve.
What’s your perspective?
-LJF