The Mystery Story of an Everyday Hero
A while back, I came across an interesting story about a young reporter. He was visiting his hometown, one which he had not been to in several years, when he noticed something different. It was packed with people.
All the hotels were booked, the restaurants filled, even local neighbors had an extra two or three cars in their driveway as they hosted old friends and acquaintances.
The reporter was curious by this influx in people. Instinctually reverting to his journalistic tendencies, he began asking around to find out what was going on.
Was there a parade? Was some celebrity going to be making an appearance? Was this going to be the spot where they shot the next season of the Jersey Shore?
As he talked with people he continued to hear a similar story. All these people were here for a funeral. In fact it was for a person who had worked in the school system for 40 years.
Who was this mystery person? Was it a radical superintendent? The supportive principle? Some memorable teacher?
No.
In fact it was for the school janitor.
Somehow, without any direct authority, this man was able to impact thousands of young people and leave such an impact that they left their lives for a few days to come to his funeral.
It is almost staggering to think of what he accomplished. The town was filled with 10,000 people to attend his funeral that day, and yet think about how many more people couldn’t have made the trip.
The key point of this story is that this man did not have the limitations we might put on ourselves, “I’m just a janitor.” He is positive proof that our titles in life mean nothing. That the amount of money we make does not equal the amount of impact we have. That we all have the ability to do extraordinary things.
It’s very easy for us to come up with excuses. I’m too young. I’m too old. I don’t know enough. I’m afraid to fail.
There will always be a reason not to do something. We can keep riding that line and letting it encompass our actions or we can say screw it and take a step in an unknown direction.
The truth is, worth is not measurable. It does not deem our potential and capabilities. You cannot rate your intrinsic value based on external circumstances. Your virtue comes from your mere existence, your aliveness.
If we dispense this notion of living a life of subjective worthiness and just start living life, then we can accomplish amazing and limitless outcomes just like that extraordinary janitor.
Where does your value come from? Do you know of any stories like the janitor one? What is the driving motivator for your aliveness or is it simply the fact of feeling alive?
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About the author
I believe in challenging the status quo and thinking differently, constantly. My past has been living in the limits of a societal context, my future lies in following what I believe in, and that middle ground known as present day consists of the surreal purpose of living in the now.
“The truth is, worth is not measurable.” I love that line. It speaks pure truth. Thank you for giving me a lot to think about today with that inspiring story.
You pulled out a very good line Wendy. It took me some time to wrap my head around that idea because we constantly measure our worthiness.
It seems inhuman not to. But where you find worth you also find worthless. It seems that to speak in those terms is a waste of time. It’s more terms of existence and aliveness. I think that’s what makes this such a great story. It’s about someone who just lived. It turned out to be an extraordinary life, but there was no measurements or performance review, just simply a life filled with small, positive actions. Turned out to be something much larger!
By the way, I really like the About the Author section. Happy Fall!
That’s the first time I’ve heard that story. It was very refreshing and makes such a good point. My mom has always been a great example of someone who has made incredible connections while being a stay at home mom.
She always went out of her way to help others and every year I’m reminded when I stop by for her birthday and her room is full of gifts and cards that she is keeping organized to send back thank you cards.
It goes to show we can’t judge others by their jobs, looks, or status. Some of the most amazing people are probably right in front of us and we don’t have a clue.
Bryce
Exactly!! What a brilliant story too!
I still find myself being guilty of finding all this predisposition fly into my head when someone introduced themselves with a certain title, or drives up in a BMW or 93′ station wagon.
But NONE of that matters. Like the evidence of your mom’s story, what matters are the actions you take.
Thanks for sharing that Bryce, it seems like you have some of your mom’s best characteristics!
What if someone drives up in a ’93 BMW station wagon?
I believe the only reason to be in business is to make a difference. But how do you make a difference? And how do you measure a difference?
I know the answers for myself, but they will probably be different for each of us. Therein lies the beauty of our unlimited potential for greatness. Not greatness as in self-congratulatory titles or gratuitous salaries, but greatness in terms of impact.
Each of us is a fish in a pond. No reason we can’t change ponds.
HA! I don’t think I would know what to think if that happened!
One thing that has been difficult for me to wrap my head around is that there’s no need to measure our difference. I still can’t do that. I don’t know if it’s ego or my slight OCD.
But I think as long as your following a life according to your core beliefs that’s all that matters. There is no need to measure anything because it is all subjective.
Love your last sentence, “No reason we can’t change ponds.” We put limits on ourselves – but just cause this is the ‘pond’ we’re in doesn’t mean it’s the one we have to stay in.
Great comment Brian!
Ooh. You make a good point about no need to measure our difference, though I have to wonder, how do we know we’ve made difference? I’m not suggesting we quantify such things, but if we want to change the world, I think we need to have an idea what that change looks like so we know where we stand in relation.
And yeah, the pond comment just hit me yesterday. I live in a metropolitan area of close to 3MM people, but spent the past weekend in a town of scarcely over three hundred. This has been a week of reflection for me and I’m feeling my current pond is too large, loud, and lazy for my liking.
Here’s to ch-ch-ch-changes.
PS: Any thoughts on why I get two emails for each reply to my comments here? I might have a setting messed up.
Hahahaha “ch-ch-ch-changes” – great song!
I LOVE when new experiences unveil this completely different world. Things that are coveted and treasured in one culture could be inconsequential in the next.
I think we need to know how to go about making a change. I think that falls within ourselves. I think as long as we are following the beliefs that lie closest to our core than making a difference is something that happens as a result of that. For me instead of saying I want to change the lives of others. I look more at my passions of helping those struggling, and focus in on bringing happiness. Change is a result of that but it is not the target.
Not sure if I’m making sense – partly because this is something I’m still trying to develop for myself. None the less – our little comment discussion has certainly got my metaphoric wheels turning
Oof-da! Looks like we can only reply back and forth 3-deep before the reply button is yanked by the plugin. Tsk, tsk.
Unchecking the “Notify me” box below this one to see what happens.
Totally supersize with you on developing the ideas. Seems pretty easy to get into semantics when exploring the unknown corners of the mind, ya know? What I’ve come to believe, thinking in terms of core values and change, is that the things we have in common – and we ALL have things in common – are what enable us to realize the full potential of our differences. That said, I think it’s important to “know thself” and stand for something, while keeping an open mind to the potential of working with polar opposites.
PS: I saw a picture of someone standing on a street somewhere with your poster on G+ this morning. Pretty cool.
My grandfather wasn’t a famous celebrity of sorts. He was just a genuine man who put time to his family, friends, and anyone who he met throughout the day. He laughed and could make anyone smile. The best notion of this is that he wasn’t even a rich man, yet he gave 100% of his heart to the world.
When he past away (1998) – 1000+ people attended his 1st funeral (we’re Filipino Catholic so we have 2 funerals) – where 20 of his closest friends provided a eulogy. Then another 1500+ at his 2nd funeral. Not only did his immediate family provide eulogies, but also a few random people who met him briefly in their daily lives.
I tell you this because I think this story coincides with this post. It doesn’t matter who you are – it’s what you do and how you project your lifestyle on others. How do you want to live!? (:
Amazing! Thanks for sharing Jonathan.
It seems your grandfather had a pretty clear intent in life – bring joy to the lives of others. I think when we follow our core beliefs we create the reality we choose to live in.
I know I want to live a life according to my beliefs. There’s still some self-discovery around this, but my beliefs revolve around the basic idea of helping others through philanthropic events and conferences or just making a stranger smile!
What about you Jonathan – How do you want to live? (ha – couldn’t resist flipping the question on you!)
My mission in life is to make everyone I meet smile with happiness. I want to stay sexy and keep people on their toes as I make them go “What the hell just happened!?!?” – I think I’m doing this everyday. However, I feel like I’m not doing it enough. This is one reason why I write to build more followers.
Life is about movements.
Awesome intent Jonathan!
I think that is such a worthwhile and remarkable life to live. And I don’t think we ever feel like we’re doing enough. It might bring about some stress and tension, but as long as the focus stays on our ability to constantly grow, than we will never reach a point of perfection.
“Life is about movement.” – Yes it is! Awesome comment Jonathan.
Such a wonderful post. It’s actually at perfect timing. I work as a waitress, but that is not who I am. It is astounding to me when I meet people and there first question is “what do you do?” Sometimes I want to say, “I take walks, I meditate, I read, I try to make the world a better place, I love my dog, I love my family, I write, I try to connect with people.”
I am not my job, although I love my job and I am proud of it today.
Thanks for reminding me of what truly matters.
Ha – I love it! It’s crazy how we define ourselves through our occupations. There’s this activity we do at work called “who are you”. Basically you ask another person the question over and over again. But there are three rounds. The first is very surface level talking about titles and labels. The second level adds adjectives to those titles. But the third level of communication, the deepest, talks about what you believe in.
I like to challenge myself when people ask me the question, to do what you said and talk about my beliefs right off the bat!
Keep it up Annie! I’m inspired
Sometimes, the janitor is the most overlooked person in the school. Looks like this one was not that kind.
It just goes to show that even in the lowliest of positions, you can have great influence if you just use your opportunities.
Thanks for sharing this delightful story!
Hey Grady!
You just pulled out a golden nugget of info right there! “Use your opportunities”
Opportunities surround us everywhere, but most of the time we overlook them. We are not aware of them. People would overlook the opportunities a janitor has – but there are obviously a ton since this one person made thousands of differences. All from acting on opportunities!
Well said Grady! Be aware of those opportunities! It’s been my constant challenge!
Wicked story. Impressive how someone from the outside appears to be so insignificant, can have such an impact on those around him. Awesome. It is stories like this that inspires our next generation.
Thanks for sharing this!
Hey Brock,
Exactly. It goes to show that appearances can be deceptive, and actions speak louder than words, or in this case titles. My favorite spin on perspective is when I was talking with a photographer who has frequented Africa. She said they do so much with so little, while we do so little with so much. I think the take away is external circumstances are insignificant compared to attitude.
Thanks for checking out/commenting on the post Brock!
Wow. That was a powerful statement. Tucking that one away…
That was awesome, Chris!
We do hold ourselves back, don’t we? It’s so easy to think of excuses why this won’t work or that wouldn’t be very practical. We also get very comfortable in our little bubbles, walking the same paths, saying hi to the same people, never really extending ourselves much.
That janitor didn’t likely live in a bubble, didn’t likely see why he shouldn’t impact others’ lives. Sometimes we don’t even know the impact we have. We go about our day interacting with others, listening to them, caring about them, doing small, seemingly insignificant acts of service, little kindnesses. I wonder if the janitor would have been surprised by the turnout. I suspect he would.
And what’s particularly wonderful is that his life continues to influence others as we read your account and are inspired again to go out and leave a legacy of decency.
Thanks Chris!
Hey Ken!
Love the visual of our little comfort bubbles. It seems like we know exactly the ways in which we should interact with people. Talking to a friend sitting at a table at a coffee shop is within that scripted bubble, but turning around in line and talking to the person behind while waiting for your cup of coffee…that falls outside most peoples bubbles.
You bring out a good point as well. People who go around engaging in these small acts of caring never really see themselves as anything extraordinary. But we should always keep in mind that we can never really be certain of the ripple effects of our actions, and on that note, the stillness of the water when we don’t act.
Have a good weekend coming up!
Chris,
The concept of self-limiting beliefs is one of the most unfortunate patterns people can fall prey to. I know I suffered from this notion that who I am is a reflection of what I have accomplished or have right now. Fortunately I know that people are capable of much more than they may realize at first. Many times we hear messages when we are children that we can’t or shouldn’t do something. If we don’t have someone in our life to reveal this truth to us, connecting with a mentor of someone who takes action and postiive risks can be helpful. I now try to lead others in this direction though I learned about my potential from others leading the way at first.
So weird that every time you comment it awaits for moderation. Sorry about that – I’m not sure why it keeps doing that.
Anyway, great point Joe. I’ve never given much consideration to the idea of mentor, but what an important idea it is. We learn through the actions of ourselves and the actions of others. That’s a great question to ask. Who is someone you see as a mentor? Certainly parents fits that role, but I think we each have a couple of special people we’ve met in our lives that challenge our beliefs and lead by example.
Worthwhile question to think about! Thanks Joe.
Omigoodness! This totally reminded me of the janitor at my primary school! =) He was friends with everyone including the teachers and parents. He played soccer with us every morning and I’ll always remember how he would run the lunch carts through the hallways for earthquake days. Needless to say, he played an important role in my life and taught me early on that labels are just labels. =P
Love your quote: “Your virtue comes from your mere existence, your aliveness.” Thanks for the reminder, Chris! =)
What an awesome guy!! See, it’s stories like that, that prove that happiness is a decision. He probably had such a fun time at work, it wasn’t even work. It doesn’t matter what your doing, but the attitude you bring to it.
Earthquake days…not too familiar with those out here in New Jersey – haha. Although, we recently had a whole ruckus, when we had that 5 second tremor a month ago.
Always great reading your comments Sam!
Great post here! I love the story! Very inspiring! Sometimes, before we even do something, we already assume and label ourselves like “I’m just a 50 year old janitor what can I do?”. Everyone in this world can make a difference. Small things that we can do can make a big difference to other people. We should definitely not belittle ourselves for each and everyone of us is special and is capable of change. Great story and thanks for the inspiration!
Hey Pj! Great to hear from you.
You make such a good point. Even before we act, we already put limits in our heads. For me it’s my age. For instance, I often think, I’m just 23, who will listen to me – especially when I’m interacting with people in the corporate field. It’s taken some practice, and I am still challenged by it, but I’ve developed evidence through my experiences that actions speak louder than titles.
What about you Pj? Any limiting beliefs you’re facing or have overcome?
Hey Chris,
Love the story man. It doesn’t matter what we do for a living, it matters who we are as people. I don’t devalue someone for what their career is, but rather what kind of person they are.
I have met many wonderful people who are not high earners yet they manage to make such a huge impact on people that they interact with.
And THOSE are the kind of people I would like to meet. I feel like they have some remarkable characteristics that no matter fiscal benefits they are going to have meaningful interactions.
I’ve actually been guilty of this prejudice on multiple occasions. Interacting with people who do not have a college education or people who put in 80 hour work weeks. I catch myself making predispositions for how they will think and act, and I quite often I’m proved wrong.
Like you said, don’t titles do not detract value. Value lies in the aliveness of a person – that is where impact comes from. Everything else is inconsequential.
GREAT point Justin. Thanks!
Hi Chris,
It’s a great story! I clearly remember our janitor from junior high. He was an important figure in the school, to us at least! This story makes me think of the one about the taxi driver in NYC who is so aware that as he affects his passengers, he affects everyone they meet after they leave his taxi.
It’s a nice reminder of our power to change the world!
Lori
Exactly Lori!!
We can never truly be aware of the ripple effects of our actions. From the moment we leave our doors we are possible of making countless small differences in random peoples lives. You don’t need a title to do that! I think that’s such an empowering statement. Anyone, anywhere, at anytime can make a difference.
I remember having a really funny cab driver one time and left the cab feeling energized and happy! I bet he didn’t even think twice that he was making a difference he was just being who he was – and THAT is what made all the difference!
Great hearing from you again Lori!
What an interesting story. It’s amazing to think that 10,000 people would show up for one person’s funeral. I guess if you work hard enough at it, you can really mean a lot to many people.
I think this just shows that it is the kind of person you are and not what you do for a living that makes you important to other people. Anyone really can make a difference.
Yes! I can only imagine the impact he had on each of those students. To think he’s job description was to keep a clean school, and yet he did so much more.
A lot of times I think we limit ourselves to I’m only this age or I don’t have a high enough position or I don’t have enough money. But known of those can enclose our beliefs to do more, unless we allow them to.
“Anyone really can make a difference.” – Great take away Steve!
I drove 3.5 hours to go to Charlie Wiss’s funeral, our HS janitor. These stories are age old and seem sad but are centerd in joy. Charlie was funny, sincere, honest, flawed and just plain old approachable. These people (to me) make life “worth” waking up to every morning. I made a list of deceased men a while back that created this kind of worth for me. It’s at 41 now and growing. The list of women, well, it begins and doesn’t end.
Hi Danny!
Thanks for sharing your story about Charlie. Your comment brings this blog post to life. Pop culture idealizes celebrities and the rich, but the gems of the world are people like Charlie. Your ability to recognize this is absolutely awesome. There’s a world of awesome people out there, we just have to be looking in the right places.
Cheers my man.
Chris