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Inspirational Leadership: It's All Around Us

Guest post by: Michael Hume

Article Overview: I want to tell you about Dave, a guy I met at one of the health clubs where I work out. I don't know him well (in fact, I have no idea what his last name is)... but he's told me enough about himself over the years that I can relate what I know as his story. And I think it's pretty inspiring.

Inspirational Leadership: It's All Around Us

You Can Be Inspired To Change Your Life I want to tell you about Dave, a guy I met at one of the health clubs where I work out. I don't know him well (in fact, I have no idea what his last name is)... but he's told me enough about himself over the years that I can relate what I know as his story. And I think it's pretty inspiring.

I'm a pretty private guy. I think I'm friendly enough, and I enjoy the occasional casual conversation, but I'm introverted enough that I rarely initiate the socializing with people I don't know. At the gym, I tend to get in, grab a locker, take my supplements, do my workout, hit the showers, pack up, and take off... usually without having much reason to visit with others.

So when I met Dave, to be honest, I thought he was a little obnoxious. He is a guy who really makes an entrance when he walks into the locker room... he wants to say hello to everyone, and in fact, always wants to tell me (or whoever's listening) how much weight he lifted, how many laps he swam, whatever. He's an adult, not too many years younger than I, and has clearly suffered some mental setbacks - though he's perfectly capable of carrying on a conversation. Since I don't want to think of myself as an unfriendly person who would find this obnoxious (see above, and feel free to laugh at me), I've always listened patiently and reacted with encouragement. I found sincere ways to be interested in Dave's story, without being patronizing (I hate that). I'm sure glad I did, because over the months and years, Dave told me more and more about himself.

It seems that, years ago, Dave was a truck driver and a heavy smoker. He was diagnosed with a large brain tumor... and was told he probably would not survive the surgery to remove it (it took me, no Sherlock Holmes, several chats with Dave to notice the slightly-misshapen dent in the side of his forehead).

Obviously he survived anyway. In fact, he had to completely change his life, including immediately dropping the tobacco habit. I gather Dave lives today in a group home where he can get some help with some of his needs... but he gets his butt onto a city bus every other day, makes it to the gym, spends at least a couple hours working out, probably another hour socializing with folks at the club (with all of whom he is friends, including more than a few of us stuck-up introverts), and gets himself back home.

He's one of my heroes.

Whenever I think it'd be more convenient not to get out of bed and head for the gym, I think of Dave, who has told me how blessed he feels to still be alive-and-kicking, and able to get to the gym on his routine schedule. Whenever I think of what a hassle it can be to start and run a successful business, I think about how envious Dave would be of the way I'm able to pass my days, and of the material blessings I enjoy. When I have to drive my beat-up old truck on some inconvenient errand, I think about how much Dave probably wishes he could still drive his truck.

And when I hear my coachees tell me it's just too hard to make changes in their lives, like dropping the smoking habit, or undertaking marriage counseling, or building skills they'd rather not take on... I listen with patience and respond with as much encouragement and optimism as I can. That's part of my job... my mission... and I'm blessed to have it.

But I can't help thinking about Dave.

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Article Tags: health habits, health weatlh and happiness, inspirational leadership, personal responsibility



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