Bad Things Happen to Good People

“Life isn’t fair. It just isn’t. Bad things happen to good people.” Glen Cavallo

There are a few “go to” people who I refer to for inspiration and guidance: John Wooden, Colin Powell, Norman Vincent Peale, Mother Teresa, Richard Rohr, and Helen Keller. Here is a story that inspired me that I copied from the internet about someone that made such a difference in Helen Keller’s life:

It was about Anne Mansfield Sullivan. Anne was on April 14, 1866, in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts, Anne's youth was filled with hardship and adversity. Not only was she raised in deep poverty, but she was physically abused by her alcoholic father. At age five she contracted trachoma, a bacterial infection of the eye. This disease was left untreated, causing her to nearly go blind.

When Anne turned eight years old, her mother, Alice Sullivan, died of tuberculosis. Two years later her father abandoned both Anne and her brother James to the state infirmary in Tewksbury, Mass., after finding it difficult to raise the children alone.

Conditions at the institution were deplorable since it was chronically underfunded, in disrepair and severely overcrowded. If that was not bad enough, after just three months James died from tuberculosis.

During her four-year stay at Tewksbury, Anne received two operations that failed to significantly correct her vision. However, in October 1880, as Anne turned 14 years old, she was accepted into the Perkins School for the Blind in Boston (founded in 1832 and operating to this day).

Overcoming the obstacles

At the Perkins School her situation began to improve. Anne received additional treatment for her eyes that enhanced her sight enough so she could read for short periods. As a result, she diligently concentrated on her academic education. Anne also learned sign language to communicate with a friend who was both deaf and blind. Anne studied so meticulously that she graduated as class valedictorian on June 1, 1886.

In her valedictory address she challenged her classmates and herself by stating: "Fellow graduates, duty bids us go forth into active life. Let us go cheerfully, hopefully, and earnestly, and set ourselves to find our especial part. When we have found it, willingly and faithfully perform it; for every obstacle we overcome, every success we achieve tends to bring man closer to God and make life more as He would have it."

Anne Sullivan became the instructor to whom Helen Keller, one of the most admired women of the 20th century, acclaimed as making an extraordinary impact on her life. In chapter four of Helen Keller's autobiography, The Story of My Life, she wrote, "The most important day I remember in all my life is the one on which my teacher, Anne Mansfield Sullivan, came to me."

We choose how to react

What does Anne Sullivan's story illustrate? Considering the significant troubles she encountered in her youth, she could have turned frustrated, testy, and resentful. She could have ceaselessly complained about the unfairness of her upbringing and the hardships she experienced.

Just as Anne Sullivan consciously resolved to manage her disadvantages in a constructive manner, you and I have choices when we are impacted by inequity and injustice.

Whether we face a recent difficult setback or a long-term situation as profound as what Anne encountered, we can choose how we will react and what we will do.

This works in business and at home. Businesses are struggling or closing because of covid, supply chain struggles, staffing issues, etc. Health care workers are exhausted and afraid while health care companies are over regulated and struggling to find critical staff to care for their patients and residents. I hear these concerns daily from my clients all over the country.

Personally, I can name about ten people and families who I know today are really struggling from poor health, financial difficulties, marital problems, job losses, house fires, the loss of a loved one, etc. You can also. Why them? It’s not fair. Maybe you are one of those people or someone who you love is going through this?

My hope and prayer for you today is that you and/or your company can somehow find the same strength and peace that Anne Sullivan found. Please know that just as she cared about helping Helen Keller, there are people out here that want to help you also.

As leaders in business and friends in life, we have a chance to help people when they are hurting. We can and should provide hope, comfort, and love at a time when they need it most. It is our duty.

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.