A few weeks ago I received a note from someone on Facebook. He apparently remembered me from high school but I did not remember him. (We were in the same Speech Class).
The follow-up note he sent me moved me to tears. I share this with you because it just goes to show you how you can change a life for the better and not even know it. Certainly, I had no idea how the impact of my words back then would play out more than 30 years later. But I am so thankful that I said something to inspire.
Here’s his note to me:
This is a selfish message more for me than for you…Of course you wouldn’t remember me. First my name was (name deleted) back then (i used my step dad’s name at that time), I weighed about 98 lbs then, my fro was unkempt, my attire was second hand, dirty and ill fitting, there were 10 of us in our household with 1 bath tub (that I hardly ever used), and I got a “C” in that (speech) class, all my other grades that year were “F’s” I was very proud of my “C”. That was my best effort.
After one speech that I muttered and stumbled through, you said “good job Mike”…You, The great McKinley speaking sensation, told me…little dirty me good job. I don’t even think I said thank you or looked you in the eye, but I felt like a winner that day.
I dropped out of school that next year and joined the U.S. Marines, where I stayed for the next 12 years. I started a sales career, and discovered I could excel there. I soon started teaching and training sales people, and for the past 12 years I have prospered running my own consulting company with several junior consultants that I employ. I have traveled the world (48 countries) teaching the art of selling to groups that number from 25 to 2500.
There have been many Bev’s in my life since that “good job Mike” more than 30 years ago, people that have taken the time to give a word of encouragment to the less able, and now I like to think I am a Bev myself . So this heart felt message is not just for you. It’s for all of those Bev’s that I never said thank you to. I enjoy a life I never dreamed of as a child.
Thank you Bev’s of the world . I send you love, joy, and light … Namaste
Now you see why I am still crying……..
June 14, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Wow, wow, wow! I can see why this brought you to tears! This is just one example of treating others the same way we would like to be treated, and not to judge people by any means. You never know when a kind word or two can greatly impact someone’s day, or their life…thank you SO MUCH for sharing!
June 15, 2009 at 1:34 am
Oh Bev! God was working out his plan in you even then. You gave an encouraging word, and it changed someone’s life. You are still the Bev of Mike’s day, because you are still passing out the encouraging words and rocking the world with your own vision.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful testimony with us. It brought tears to my eyes, too, as I am so proud of my dear friend..Queen DIVA Beverly Mahone!
June 15, 2009 at 9:39 pm
What a wonderful note to receive! Obviously you were just as generous then as your are now with your words of encouragement and happy disposition
June 16, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Another WOW! What an honor. How wonderful and giving of Mike to express to you how you impacted his life. We are constantly reminded that our words are powerful and how we should at least take the time to smile at and acknowledge another human being. It is soooo affirming to have someone actually say what it meant to them. Keep doin’ what you do, Diva Bev!
June 17, 2009 at 2:35 am
Oh, Beverly!!! What a beautiful message to receive and how this must have touched you deeply!
We never know when or where our words might make a difference and yours certainly did to this man. The “McKinley speaking sensation” also possesses a warm and wonderful heart and now, for sure, she knows!