by: Martin L. Johnson, Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work
A few years ago, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, where I was employed, purchased Norand Corporation. Pioneer’s sales representatives in the field used Norand hand-held terminals to upload daily sales information and download new price and sales incentive information. Pioneer bought so many of these hand-held terminals, the economics made the purchase of Norand look interesting. Owning Norand also allowed Pioneer to explore high-technology markets outside agriculture.
But after a few years, the emerging laptop PC technology made the hand-held units obsolete. Pioneer sold Norand at a loss. Pioneer always took a given percent of the annual profits to divide equally among all employees, so our profit-sharing checks were lower than if Pioneer had not purchased Norand. Additionally, my Pioneer stock was lower than it had been before the purchase of Norand. I was not pleased.
The CEO of Pioneer, Tom Urban, made annual formal visits to each of the Pioneer divisions to talk about the state of the business and to listen to employees’ concerns. When he walked into the meeting room for his first visit after the sale of Norand, he acknowledged the group, removed his jacket and neatly folded it across the back of the chair. He loosened his tie, undid his collar and rolled up his sleeves. The next thing he said was the last thing I ever expected to hear a CEO say.
He said, “I made a mistake buying Norand and I am sorry. I am sorry your profit-sharing was lower because of the purchase, and I am sorry your stock was hurt by the purchase. I will continue to take risks, but I am a bit smarter now, and I will work harder for you.” The room was quiet for a moment before he asked for questions.
A great man and leader stood before us that day. As I sat listening to him, I knew I could trust him, and that he deserved every bit of loyalty I could give to him and to Pioneer. I also knew I could take risks in my own job.
In the brief moment of silence before the questions started, I recall thinking that I would follow him into any battle.
A little boy came up to his mother in the kitchen one evening while she was fixing supper, and handed her a piece of paper that he had been writing on. After his Mom dried her hands on an apron, she read it, and this is what it said:
For cutting the grass: $5.00
For cleaning up my room this week: $1.00
For going to the store for you: $.50
Baby-sitting my kid brother while you went shopping: $.25
Taking out the garbage: $1.00
For getting a good report card: $5.00
For cleaning up and raking the yard: $2.00
Total owed: $14.75
Well, his mother looked at him standing there, and the boy could see the memories flashing through her mind. She picked up the pen, turned over the paper he’d written on, and this is what she wrote:
For the nine months I carried you while you were growing inside me: No Charge
For all the nights that I’ve sat up with you, doctored and prayed for you: No Charge
For all the trying times, and all the tears that you’ve caused through the years: No Charge
For all the nights that were filled with dread, and for the worries I knew were ahead: No Charge
For the toys, food, clothes, and even wiping your nose: No Charge
Son, when you add it up, the cost of my love is: No Charge.
When the boy finished reading what his mother had written, there were big tears in his eyes, and he looked straight at his mother and said, “Mom, I sure do love you.” And then he took the pen and in great big letters he wrote: “PAID IN FULL”.
A MOTHER'S LOVE
Lessons:
You will never how much your parents worth till you become a parent
Be a giver not an asker, especially with your parents. there is a lot to give, besides money.
Advice: IF your mom is alive and close to you, give her a big kiss and ask her for forgiveness. If she is far away, call her. if she passed away, pray for her.
A professor stood in front of the philosophy class and had some items in front of his desk.
Put 1st thing First
When the class began, without saying a word, he took an empty mayonnaise jar and began to fill with golf balls.
Then he said to his disciples, whether the jar was full. They agreed.
Then he took a box of coral stone and poured it into the jar. He shook lightly. Coral rocks in, fill the empty places between the golf balls.
Then he asked his disciples, whether the jar was full. They agreed that the jar was full.
Furthermore professor took a box of sand and spread into the jar … Of course, the sand was closing everything. Professor once again asked if the jar was full …. Paramurid unanimously said, “Yes” …
Professor and brewing two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. Paramurid laugh ….
“Now,” said the professor as the laughter subsided, “I want you to understand that this jar represents your life.”
“Golf balls are the important things – God, family, children, health, friends and companions”
“If all things lost and only they, his life is still full.”
“The stones of coral is everything else, like work, home and car.”
“Sand is anything else – things that are trivial.”
“When you first time enter into a jar of sand,” continued the professor, “So do not be left room for coral stones or for golf balls ..
The same thing will happen in your life.”
“If you spend energy on things that are trivial, you will not have room for things that are important to you.”
“So …”
“Give attention to things that are critical to your happiness.”
“Play with your children.”
“Take time for health checkups.”
“Invite your partner to go out to dinner”
“There’s always time to clean house and fix the furniture.”
“Pay attention to the first golf balls – things that really matter. Set your priorities. Just the last, take care of his sand.”
One student raised his hand and asked, “Coffee represents what?”
Professor smiled
“I’m glad you asked.”
“That’s to show you, even if your life was already so full, remain always available place for a cup of coffee with friends …”
We sometimes quit even before we start. We don’t think we are strong enough sometimes or it is just simply impossible. But we have to endure it for in the end it is worth it. We need to give our the best.
