Running the race

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

I reread this quote recently and I realized how so true it actually is in life.

I immediately thought of three circumstances in my life when someone did what seemed like a small act of kindness but it meant a great deal to me. In fact, in two cases, these acts are still fresh in my mind over 50 years later!

The first wasn’t a one-time thing but something my Dad’s boss did for me. We weren’t necessarily poor but we were broke growing up. So we didn’t have much money for luxuries. Also, as a young man, I hated to read except for anything to do with sports.

Benny, my Dad’s boss, received Sports Illustrated each week. He usually got his copy on Thursday and read it over the weekend. He then gave it to my Dad each Monday, so Dad could give it to me. Now, to an 8 year old-sports fanatic, this was like Christmas every Monday. I looked forward to my Dad coming home each Monday, but I really looked forward to seeing that week’s Sports Illustrated edition. I then read it cover to cover. (Ironically, I have become an avid reader. I mean, I just consume book after book!) Instead of throwing away his magazine, Benny gave it to me. (I have since done the same with my magazines).

A year of two later, we were visiting my Dad’s rich cousin (doesn’t everyone have one?). I stood in awe in his living room as he had a television built into the wall! And he had a remote control! Our television was portable on a stand and in our house, I was the remote control! My Dad would ask, “Glen, please get up and change the television to channel 3.” There were only three choices (ABC, CBS, NBC), but it seemed he never could make up his mind and I was forever having to get up either to change the channel or move the ‘bunny ears around’.

In any case, this same rich cousin had season tickets to see the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers play. He asked me if I liked the Sixers and I responded by quoting every player and their respective number. He asked if my Dad and I wanted to go the Sixers-Bulls game that Friday night. I think I almost choked with excitement! Are you kidding? Absolutely! I then counted the hours until Friday night.

Once we got there, it was magical. We sat on the first row. I mean the very first row! (By the way, I heard curse words from players that I had never heard before). But the experience was something I would remember forever. And the Sixers beat the Knicks. 50 years later and I still remember that night as if it happened yesterday.

Then about fifteen years ago, I decided to run a 5K. It was sort of a bucket list kind of thing.

I had never run a race before and was frightened that I would embarrass myself by quitting or walking. I prepared for weeks if not months. Finally on July 4th, I got in line to run with about 5000 others in the Greenwood Firecracker 5K. (Ok, this was Greenwood, Arkansas so maybe just 150-200 people in total). I got my number, pinned it on my shirt and proceeded to the absolute back of the line/crowd to start. I was actually behind a person in a wheelchair, about ten moms pushing strollers and someone in a costume. (I just didn’t want anyone to watch me struggle or fail).

Everyone took off in a hurry but I was sort of steady. As we got to the first mile marker or so, I started actually passing people. (Definitely the folks pushing strollers and the one in the wheelchair).

At mile two, I was moving along at a good clip and got encouragement by a friend who was at the water station. He said, “You are doing great, I wish I could run this.” I thanked him and smiled through the sweat dripping down my face.

As I got to the top of the hill and saw the finish line ahead with about ¾ mile to go, I was running out of gas. I sort of ‘hit the wall’ as they say. I started to panic and worried that the voices in my head that said I that I couldn’t do it, would win. My legs were so heavy.

About that time, I saw a man come running towards me. He had already finished and saw me struggling and ran back to me to run alongside me to the end. He said, “Sometimes you just need a friend to help you a little.”

Well that was the help I needed, I kept running, following his pace and crossed the finish line into the arms of my wife. (She said that I was the only one finishing the race with a big smile on their face). The announcer proclaimed 29:36. My first goal was to finish but down deep I was shooting for 30 minutes! I did it! I was elated.

I turned to thank the guy that helped me make it happen but he was gone. I asked Barb if she saw where the guy went that helped me. She replied, “I didn’t see anyone run alongside you!” I described him, but she said that there wasn’t anyone running alongside me.

Wow! I was baffled. What just happened?

(I have since come to the conclusion that maybe God sent someone to help me when I needed it. That also has happened many times in my life).

In conclusion, I grew up in a world built on scarcity. You were taught to take care of yourself and your family and not to look outward very much. As I matured, I realized that there was so much more to life. That in actuality, I think one of the secrets of life is to figure out your gifts and then use them to help others. Sometimes as a leader, father, husband or friend, the help is a big effort but most of the time, it is the little things that can make a big difference in someone’s life.

Thanks for reading this.

With a goal to “help the next one in line”, Glen Cavallo, a 30+ year healthcare executive has chosen to share the many lessons he has learned with others. Glen does this by serving as a coach/advisor to leaders at all levels of organizations, as a board member and as he presents inspirational speeches at regional, national, annual and awards meetings.