cmonova
Active Member
- Reaction score
- 23
I recently went to a customer that is paralyzed but has movement in part of one hand. While I’m working on his computer we start talking about whatever. Then he says that he was in the Army for 18 ½ years before getting injured. So now he is on disability and also just recently got a government job. Then he stared saying about the VA and how great they have been to him and that he still has to go in every now and then for whatever.
Now the part that really hit me was him saying “you know what the worst part is about going in there?”….So of course I’m thinking a million and one things but……his answer was this… “seeing the young men that are 19, 20 and so on that are laying there with limbs missing or paralyzed”…Now I’m thinking damn here is a guy that is paralyzed himself and yet he feels bad for everyone else. But, then he said I was 48 years old before I became paralyzed so I have a lot to be thankful for, these young men are not as fortunate as I am.
It makes you think. Makes you think about what you have, about how some things are not really as bad as they may seem, about how many things you actually have to be thankful for. I know my family this year has had two devastating losses and even with that we still have reasons to be thankful.
With that said I think giving back to the community is a very worthwhile thing. Starting from our first year of business we were giving computers to schools and families that we ran across during the year that we would make a note of and when it became available we would take them an “extra” computer to use. I would not even want to count the customers that we did jobs for and walked away with either no money, jar of homemade peanut butter, or a hug.
You don’t have to give money, computers or anything like that, you can volunteer your services, give some classes, help with a website, newsletter, etc….There are many organizations in each and every city that we provide for that can always use help.
Having your own business is great, making money is great, being the decision maker is great, but I truly believe that giving back is what really is great about having your own business.
I would go into 2009 with the thought that you are going to grow your business but you also are going to help in the community in one way shape or form. On top of that I would implore you to always remember that no matter what is going on with your business or in your life that your family is first and foremost the top priority. Take time out of each and every day and have those special moments with your family and not just the ones when you take a few minutes away from work or the computer to do something, make the time worthwhile.
Now the part that really hit me was him saying “you know what the worst part is about going in there?”….So of course I’m thinking a million and one things but……his answer was this… “seeing the young men that are 19, 20 and so on that are laying there with limbs missing or paralyzed”…Now I’m thinking damn here is a guy that is paralyzed himself and yet he feels bad for everyone else. But, then he said I was 48 years old before I became paralyzed so I have a lot to be thankful for, these young men are not as fortunate as I am.
It makes you think. Makes you think about what you have, about how some things are not really as bad as they may seem, about how many things you actually have to be thankful for. I know my family this year has had two devastating losses and even with that we still have reasons to be thankful.
With that said I think giving back to the community is a very worthwhile thing. Starting from our first year of business we were giving computers to schools and families that we ran across during the year that we would make a note of and when it became available we would take them an “extra” computer to use. I would not even want to count the customers that we did jobs for and walked away with either no money, jar of homemade peanut butter, or a hug.
You don’t have to give money, computers or anything like that, you can volunteer your services, give some classes, help with a website, newsletter, etc….There are many organizations in each and every city that we provide for that can always use help.
Having your own business is great, making money is great, being the decision maker is great, but I truly believe that giving back is what really is great about having your own business.
I would go into 2009 with the thought that you are going to grow your business but you also are going to help in the community in one way shape or form. On top of that I would implore you to always remember that no matter what is going on with your business or in your life that your family is first and foremost the top priority. Take time out of each and every day and have those special moments with your family and not just the ones when you take a few minutes away from work or the computer to do something, make the time worthwhile.
