Take the Thank You Challenge

I got a call from a former employee of mine who worked for us 6 years ago. He was a young guy when he started with us. From the streets of NYC. Saw a lot of bad things in his time. His brother was shot and killed right before his eyes. He never knew his father. That kind of stuff. We touch base every once in a while. It has been about a year since our last talk of “getting together.” Anyway, he calls the office phone to see if I’m still working here because he switched phones and lost my number in the switch. So we get to talking and he said he just called to thank me.

“For what?” I asked.

He says, “I just recently got married and I’ve told my wife a lot about you. She can’t wait to meet you. I told her you made me the man I am today. We married, basically, because of the things you taught me. I didn’t have anybody who cared about me and you showed me things on the level to let me know my views were all wrong. I just wanted to let you know I appreciate everything. Thank you.”

Needless to say, I was on an emotional high after that. To be able to touch another life in the manner I did validated everything I strive for in life.

I thanked him, too. It’s not like phone calls or conversations like this happen every day. That last comment got me thinking: more people need to come forward on both ends (giving positive advice to others even when not required to and to let others know when they’ve made a positive impact in your own life).

Take the “Thank You Challenge.”

Come forward and let someone who has had a positive impact on your life know they have done so. And if you received or do receive thanks make sure to share with others. Come back here and share the “wealth.”

Thank you!