Giving Value

So, I may be a weirdo… But I have these little credos and concepts, that I try to live out in my daily life.

These credos may change or evolve over time, but for the last decade or so, ONE little concept has grown into a Core Principle for me. And it has truly become a foundation for “How I am to live my life” and “How I am supposed to walk this Earth...”

The concept I’m referring to is what I like to call, “Giving Value”. I stole the phrasing from the business concept, “The Creation of Value”. But what the phrase, “Giving Value” basically means for me is this: For EVERYONE that I happen to meet, whether it’s a Barista or a Bestie… In some small way, I am tasked to offer that person, a sense of value or being valued…

I can flesh out this concept in more detail in a future post, but one of the smaller credos sitting under the Foundational Umbrella of “Giving Value” is such that: Whenever I happen to see someone, who is doing a good job. Or is going above what is asked for. Or is showing kindness beyond what is required. Or simply a person who is conducting him or herself the right way... I make it a point to recognize that person. And affirm them. Usually, right there on the spot...

Which brings me to this picture of Me and my new friend Jesse… Jesse is a tow truck driver in the Pasadena area.

Can you guess how this story begins? Yeah… My car wouldn't start this morning. Engine refused to turn over. My car just sat there. Making clicking noises at me. Mocking me...

Once I embraced the futility of turning the key 20+ times with zero results, I finally call AAA in disgust.

Very soon after, Jesse pulls up in a flatbed tow truck usually reserved for much fancier vehicles than my 2006 Honda Odyssey. As soon as he got out of his Ginormous truck, I was already in appreciation of this man’s style. Jesse met me with a winning smile and a firm handshake. And he called me by name right off the bat...

Jesse and I got along famously from the jump. And on the car ride up to the shop, we get straight to talking…

Right away, I tell Jesse that I really appreciated his friendliness and courtesy toward his customers... I look over to see his face. And Jesse is beaming...

Jesse immediately begins to tell me that unlike many of the other drivers, he treats EVERY customer like HE himself would like to be treated. He tells me that he always take pride in his work. He tells me that he takes the time to look clean cut and presentable so that customers (especially women) would feel comfortable, not intimidated.

I then ask him about “unruly customers”. Jesse nods and says that he runs into that all the time. But he doesn’t take their abuse personally. That he understands that sometimes customers have been forced to wait for an hour or more… “So how do you deal when you get a customer like that?” I ask.

Jesse smiles… “Over the years, I’ve learned how to calm customers down, and how to help them to Feel Safe.” Now Jesse is talking my language… Jesse goes on to tell me how he keeps a cooler of chilled water bottles that he provides on his own dime. And often, just the act of offering a cold water bottle to an irate customer can turn the tide. Add a little chit-chat, and magically, the WORST customer can turn into your BEST friend by the end of the ride...

I tell Jesse that “YOU are my kinda dude!”

We finally get up to the shop, and Jesse goes above and beyond positioning my car into the perfect spot. With his job now complete, Jesse and I shake hands warmly, and I slip him a Twenty… “Go and have a nice lunch” I tell him. But Jesse being Jesse, he tells me that instead, he is going to take this money and buy something special for his 13 yr old daughter…

And because I can’t help myself from prying into people’s lives, I start to ask more questions about his family... I find out that Jesse’s wife, Diane passed away a year ago. And with her gone, he now finds himself a Single Father of FOUR kids on ONE tow truck driver’s salary… I’m not sure why Jesse singled out his 13 yr old daughter Monica for that Twenty Dollar Splurge, but suddenly, I wish I had given him more… But I know that Jesse works for Dickson Towing, so I know where to find him if I want to drop off a little "sumthin sumthin" for him and his family in the near future…

I always say that EVERYONE you meet has something to teach you regardless of their station in life… Today, Jesse taught me how to treat people with love and respect, while still respecting yourself… I started off with the intention of blessing Jesse the tow truck driver. But in the end, this man leaves me with so much more. Through his story, Jesse showed me a glimpse into a life of love, integrity, and hospitality toward others.

As Jesse started to walk away, he suddenly turns back to me and asks if I would like a ride back to my house. “Free of charge” he says with a chuckle. I laugh too, but decline his kind offer, as a good friend was already on her way to get me. “Next time” I say to Jesse. And I mean it... There definitely will be a next time.