I just got back from a fabulous work trip with my fabulous
boss. We drove to a beach town in North Carolina, for about 5.5 hours each way
for a 2-hour-long meeting. The meeting was quite successful and the ride rather
enjoyable. Beyond lacking sensitivity on my bottom due to sitting in a car for
so long, I couldn’t complain…
However, on the way back to my house (now alone in my car),
I started feeling tired, and thinking about the work ahead of me despite it
being Friday. I have another work assignment out of town that will take all
weekend and for which I have to wake up tomorrow at 5am. I also have an
avalanche of time-sensitive emails that I need to respond to, and a load of
responsibilities that only gets heavier the more time I spend out of the
office. As any dramatic young lady
would, I took pity on myself and started thinking about how all I do is work
and study and work some more. Such is the life of a hustler.
On my way home at 9:30pm, I passed by the local Hispanic
supermarket to pick up my cousin Ronny from work. He got in the car and
immediately started to tell me about this new guy that started working with him
today. “He is Dominican, just moved to North Carolina from Florida. He had a
car accident there, got laid off his job, has two children to raise, and his
mother recently passed away. Man, he is having a hard time! He did not even
have money to buy water today. I heard the manager is only letting him work
this week, but I hope he can stay. Some people have it so rough…”
My cousin’s story shook me up and down and all around. Here
I am, complaining about a fun trip to the beach and having too much work at a
job that I love. Exhausted from all the hustling, heading home in my new car,
to spend time with my loving family, and go to bed in my air-conditioned room.
Real rough.
Next time I get even remotely close to feeling sorry for
myself, I hope I can think of this guy. Not for the purpose of comparison, or
realizing “how good I have it.” But for inspiration, as despite his pain,
burden, and hardship, the man tirelessly strives for success. “He was so
energetic! Kept finishing the jobs really quickly and asking me what to do
next. When he was telling me his story, he said ‘I will do any job, I will
clean human shit if I have to. I need to support my family. I hope they let me
stay…”
On our way back home, we saw Jose walking to his place –
fast pace, long strides. In a hurry to get home, and out the empty and
crime-ridden streets. I hope they let him stay.
