If you’ve been following this blog for awhile, you’ve picked up on the fact that I enjoy sunrises. I’m an early riser, and I love to sit on my back porch, coffee in hand and watch the dawn of a new day. It’s worth the effort!
Yesterday, a young man I know started a new job. I’ve been friends with Diego and his parents for almost fifteen years now, and I guess you could say that I’ve become one of his mentors. Like most twenty-somethings, he’s always got something going on in his life to talk about.
About four months ago, Diego quit his job in a huff. The boss wasn’t the nicest person, and he had had enough. Although he found another job quickly, it wasn’t exactly right either. But he stuck with it, and it has paid off well for him. A few weeks ago the owners asked him to become the manager of one of their busiest and nicest restaurants. That’s a big complement for someone so young, but he’s got tremendous potential and they saw it.
He has been so excited over the last few weeks, talking about all his big plans. I have really enjoyed those many conversations, since over the years, working in the same job, it’s been easy to fall into the trap of mediocrity. Why change, if its already working? If you’re creeping up into middle age, I’m sure you can relate.
Just listening to this young man share his dreams and hopes has gotten me dreaming and hoping again. His fresh start, which began with such excitement yesterday, has got me thinking about some fresh starts I need to make in my own life.
No matter what we do, or how old we are, the new day always provides us with the potential of change. When Diego called yesterday morning, asking if he could stop by on the way to his new job, I said of course.
He pulled up and almost jumped out of the car. He looked great, dressed in clothes he had purchased the night before. He was ready to conquer the world. What a joy it was to share a few minutes with him, and what a blessing that he thought to spend some this with me. When I walked back to my office, I had a little extra bounce in my step. Happiness can be contagious, can’t it?
