A Fortuitous Encounter Changed a Life
Ted had a penchant for embellishing the stories he told about himself. The number of times his first book was rejected ranged from 20 to 43. The actual number was probably 27.
Ted was on his way home to burn the manuscript of his first book when he ran into an old college buddy on Madison Ave. It was an encounter that changed the trajectory of his life.
Some people might call Ted’s encounter a divine appointment. Others say the universe conspired to help him.
God and the Universe are outside of your control.
Certainty:
You will encounter someone who will change the trajectory of your life. It might happen today.
Forest Gump’s mom told him, “Life is a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” Optimists live with a hint of anticipation. But you don’t always get chewy chocolates. Sometimes it’s a strawberry cream. Or you might get nuts that make you gasp and turn blue.
Prepare:
Coleman Cox said, “I am a great believer in luck. The harder I work, the more of it I seem to have.”
Ted had labored over a book for six months and was beating the pavement to sell it when his fortuitous encounter occurred.
Hard work prepared Ted for good fortune.
A shift:
You never know when you might be ‘Ted’s friend’. The question isn’t who will lift your trajectory. The question is whose trajectory will you lift.
Anticipating your fortuitous encounter is nice. It’s more excellent to be the person Ted met.
Anticipate what you give more than what you get.
Ted’s friend had just gone to work for Vanguard Press. It was 1937. Ted went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for his contribution to children’s literature. You might know Ted Geisel as Dr. Seuss.
What type of people are able to lift the trajectory of others?
What type of people are able to lift the trajectory of others?
Those who look beyond the established labels already given to a person and find the underappreciated or hidden talents in the individual.
Forget everything you have been told about the person and make your own assessment.
Love that insight, Paul.
In some cases we only need to do what we do. Geisel’s friend was just doing his job.
But also he wanted to be helpful.
Your comments adds the idea of giving people a chance for something unexpected.
Perhaps belief in people is part of this.
Thats a start. But i want to add those who take the time to know people beyond the catch phrase: “know your people”. In order to truly lift someone even above yourself you must first understand and know the person and care personally.
Thanks Broski. What’s interesting is fortuitous encounters can happen between people who know it each well and people who are merely acquaintances.
Having said that. The spirit of the post is much more about intentional impact. That’s where knowing people can make a huge difference.
HI,
I have been enjoying your blogs. SO, that you.
This one I just wished I also know what conversation TED had that changed his life!
Long time back I had made a cartoon with similar message – https://www.instagram.com/p/CAZh3FklXf7/
Thanks manusatsangi. Wonderful cartoon.
“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.” – Dalai Lama
As an educator, I have a solid thought on the student experience. We either hurt or harm. For if a child spends a year with me and has realized no growth in any area (content specific or pure life application), then I have hurt that child. The time a student (PreK – adult) spends with a person with the knowledge asymmetry should truly democratize access to a better future.
So, when you have it to give, whatever it is, then give. And even better, when you feel like you don’t have enough, give anyway. You have no idea who is in need of what you share in that moment. And, most often, it will not be by sheer coincidence.
“The question isn’t who will lift your trajectory. The question is whose trajectory will you lift.” We are leaders, not just in our careers, but in life. The value in facilitating connections, giving someone an opportunity or sage advice cannot be underestimated. Because ultimately, each of us has had our trajectory lifted in some way or another. Pay it forward!
I think that all the people with whom we intercourse slightly change our trajectory.
As the beneficiary of several significant “trajectory changers” during my career, I tried to repay their efforts by similarly helping others in my charge. I always became excited upon discovering willing students of my vocation who actually wanted to learn from me and grow in the craft. Their willingness to accept and absorb what I was supplying made all the difference in the learning process. I recall the quotation ““When the student is ready the teacher will appear.” One might well also say, “when one becomes ready to change, the change agent will appear.” For me, these were always investments well-made.