+1 For Optimism

If there's one thing I need to be everyday, it's optimistic. People come and talk to me and tell me their saddest stories and their toughest situations every single day and what they want out of me is of course advice and help, but also a beacon of hope that things can get better.

It's hard to stay positive when you hear what some people are going through. It's hard to tell them that things will get better when you're not quite sure if things will. But nevertheless, that's what I'm here for. I'm here to offer every resource I can that will assist them, I'm here to map out their goals with them, and I'm here to help them achieve those goals.

Today I was reassured that being positive pays off. One of my clients who I hadn't seen in months stopped in to say "hello." He initially came to me following some difficulties with a long, drawn out divorce. He was married for twenty-something years and following the divorce she came away with everything--the house, the money, etc. He actually wanted her to have everything because he's the kind of man to put other's needs before his own.

So he packed his things in his truck and headed to New Orleans from Mississippi. For about a month he was sleeping and living in his truck trying to figure out how to get out of his slump. At 64 years old with a bad hip, he had no business sleeping in his car (not that anyone does).

We talked for about an hour and a half, about everything from odd jobs to his love for ping pong. His job status was pretty much nonexistent as he was a construction worker and his bad hip was causing him excruciating pain to the point where he couldn't hold a steady job.

I wanted him to find a place to live. He had the sweetest heart and the kindest soul and knowing that he didn't have a place to comfortably sleep was tearing me up inside. I recommended a few programs, a few senior homes, and he was on his way. I spoke to him once since then when I called and checked up on him in December (he initially came in early November) but he was still searching for a place to stay.

Today he came into my office, clean shaven and well dressed, with a big smile on his face. He updated me on his new apartment in his senior home. He spoke with pride about his new neighbors and friends--all the while beaming with joy. He also informed me that he's getting a hip replacement next week, as it was visibly obvious that his limping had worsened.

He came to thank me for being the light that kept him going, for being the motivation that told him that he could do it. "When you have someone who believes in you, you believe in yourself. I come to you with a gracious heart," he said. And right then I knew, it's OK not to have the ability to change everyone's lives, but for those that I do change, I'll carry those with me.