The most remarkable people I’ve met in my life are not big businessmen, senior bankers, or celebrities.
Remarkable People
The ones I’ve learnt the most from, and have made an indelible impression on me, are the people who have dedicated their lives to the service of others and who bring great attitude to their daily lives.
Usually these are ordinary people on the fringes of our lives that we do not really see and so often forget.
I would like to recognize this week four people whose selfless service and truly professional conduct inspire me every single day.
I will start todays post with Alan.
ALAN
My first story is of Alan, whom I meet every day as I set out to the office each morning.
Alan makes me start each day with humility and a smile. Alan’s is not an easy life. He is responsible, single-handedly, for maintaining the grounds of the condominium at which I live.
Alan is 50.
His father left for the United States 40 years ago to seek a better life for his family.
“He just disappeared, maybe died on the way, nobody knows, lah”, says Alan with a smile.
Alan’s mother died a decade later. Orphaned at an early age Alan had to fend for himself – sleeping in parks and on the back of trucks doing odd jobs just to survive.
Alan works every single day, including Sundays, sorting garbage, washing the chutes, often cutting his hands on glass disposed inconsiderately by residents- cleaning other people’s smelly mess, starting at 6 am. Every single day – no breaks. No colleagues to have lunch with, no holidays, no family to spend the New Year with.
Yet, there has not been a single – not one day- when he hasn’t smiled at me and waved a cheery Good Morning, not a single day where he hasn’t dropped his broom or spanner to open the building door for me.
What I’ve learnt from Alan:
- Never complain about what life throws at you
- Be cheerful whatever the personal circumstances
- Take pride in your job no matter what you do
