This Person Had The Biggest Impact on Me Than Anyone Has In Years

“Blessed To Be Working”

I’ve rarely been so inspired as I am right now.

Everytime we see him, he is smiling. It could be 5am, it could be 10am and freezing, it doesn’t matter. He is always happy.

He greets us in person if we are outside with a fist bump every time. If we are inside, he takes time to get our attention inside by knocking on the glass while he is outside to make sure we see that he waved at us.

I need to say that this man has had a profound impact on my life and I hope that by writing this, I can extend his impact to you.

Today, I had the opportunity to setup my workspace outside, in the amazing sun, and do some work on my laptop. As always, he came by to grab our trash (did I mention he’s our garbage collector…) and a few others that are in our shopping center.

First off, he does it with speed and a smile every time. He literally grabs the trashcan and runs it out to the truck to empty it into the truck. Then he runs it back.

Today was different because I was outside. He made a point to get my attention to say hello, and then he came and gave me a fist bump. Next, he took time while he waited for the truck to meet him, to ask me how my day was going. He genuinely cared. It was a bit more than just small talk.

I told him, and we conversated a bit. Then I asked him how he was doing. All the while thinking to myself, I know the answer. This guy is doing great. There’s no way this guy is going to let anything get him down.

His answer…… “Im blessed to be working.” He then went on to say that again 2 or 3 times as I agreed with him and communicated the same sentiment back to him.

I tell my clients all the time, “Make it a great day, it’s a choice.” This guy is literally choosing to make every day a great day. It shows in his actions. Then it bleeds out in the way he treats people. 

If he is willing to collect garbage, while a massively important job, but not always a highly sought after job, and do it with a massive smile and great attitude, then I think we can have a great attitude when we have a headache. Or when money is a little low. Or when business isn’t going great. Or when our kids do something we didn’t want them to do.

We are all lucky to have been chosen for God’s plan no matter what’s happening in our lives. For most of us, the trivial stuff day to day isn’t even a drop in the bucket to what others may be going through. Even so, there are people like our garbage collector who makes it a great day no matter what.

Can you make it a great day? Can you let that bleed out through your actions so that you have an impact on others? Even those that you only see for about 30s once per week? Could you be that one person that uplifts someone who hates their job? Could you be the person that uplifts that other person who isn’t happy to be in the place they are at right now? Could you be that one person to uplift someone else who is dealing with crippling anxiety?

All it takes is a perspective shift, and action. CHOOSING to act a certain way rather than allowing your circumstances or feelings to dictate your actions. While simple, it isn’t easy. It’s always going to be a work in progress. Lucky for us, we have people to look up to and emulate like the guy who collects our garbage.

I hope you get to meet our garbage man one day. He will gladly be the one to be that uplifting presence in your day.

Heck, I may try to hire him…..