I’ve discovered that “goodness” is contagious. People’s lives are defined by where they direct their passions. When those passions are directed toward goodness, other people standing close by, observe that there is cultural benefit that flows from those attitudes and actions of goodness. Those same people are then drawn to get involved in attitudes and actions of goodness, --themselves!
I had been given the prestigious “9 Who Care Award” by Chanel 9, Denver’s NBC affiliate. They had produced a lovely feature segment on the work of Project C.U.R.E. and had aired it on their evening news program. At his home watching the Project C.U.R.E. segment was a gentleman named “Bob.”
Bob was a successful businessman who owned his own painting company. When the Denver Broncos NFL football team made it to their first Super Bowl game, Bob was so excited that he chose to paint his whole residence the blue and orange team colors of the Broncos. The unusual site was featured by a front-page picture in the Denver Post newspaper. From that time on Bob was dubbed with the affectionate nickname, “Bronco Bob.”
A few years later, Bob decided to sell his painting business. An unexpected thing happened. With his business gone and the new owners not needing or wanting his involvement or advice, Bob began to sense his loss and began to question his future and his own personal value. He began to experience depression and those feelings of depression deepened. His wife later told me of how he would some days never even want to get out of bed. Here was a man with giftedness in marketing and abilities enough to run a very successful business.
On the night the television station featured Project C.U.R.E., Bob sat up at attention and said to his wife, “That’s it! That’s what I want to do. I’m going to help Project C.U.R.E.” The next day he called the Project C.U.R.E. office and set a time for an interview and a tour through the facilities. Dave, our Vice President of volunteers, guided him on his tour. About half way through the warehouse tour “Bronco Bob” asked, “Do you have gloves here?”
Dave, thinking that Bob was inquiring about the millions of pairs of surgical and sterile latex gloves that Project C.U.R.E. was sending out all over the world, answered, “Oh, yes, Bob.” Dave went on, “Right over here are the pallets of latex gloves ready to send out and save lots of lives.”
Bob quickly answered back, “No, I’m not talking about latex gloves. Do you have a pair of good leather gloves? I’m ready to start volunteering for Project C.U.R.E. right now! Let’s get started.”
Even after many months of volunteering in our warehouse, the other co-workers would tell me how exciting it was just to work with “Bronco Bob.” He would be walking down through the aisles of the warehouse, arranging the pallets of items to be loaded onto the next huge ocean- going cargo container. He would raise his leather gloves into the air and shout, “Hallelujah, I just love my new life at Project C.U.R.E.” Later on, Bob and his wife even bought a diesel truck and gave it to Project C.U.R.E. for the collection of medical goods in the Denver area.
Bob’s newly directed passion had dramatically changed him. New worth and meaning had now invaded and defined his life. But that passion didn’t just affect “Bronco Bob.” He became one of Project C.U.R.E.’s most effective volunteer recruiters in the history of the organization.
For as many years as his health allowed, Bob showed up at the warehouse to volunteer. Every day “Bronco Bob’s” passion, enthusiasm, and love of life energized everyone else around him. Others who observed the goodness being injected into the cultural situation experienced a compelling urge to get involved in the endeavor of goodness for themselves.
Beware! As a contagious agent of change, you just might end up inspiring others!
Next Week: Goodness Pays Double