Last week I went into our local Subway Sandwich store to pick up breakfast sandwiches for the office team. It was early in the morning and there was one woman working the whole store. I gave her my order and as she was making it, I asked her what time she had to come into work, she replied “that she worked from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m. each day.” I commented that it was early to start, but then she got to go home early. She said “yes, but then I get ready to go to my second job from 5:30 p.m. until 1:30 a.m.”
I think my mouth dropped open at this point. I asked what she did for her second job and she told me that she cleaned the whole kitchen of a local fast food restaurant and then prepped food for the next day. Then I asked her if she liked her work and she immediately got a big smile on her face and said “oh yes, I have three children who are 14, 16, and 18. I am a single mother and am so happy to have my jobs to provide for my family.”
I could tell by her enthusiasm when she spoke that she was telling the truth and she was so happy as she told her story. She was very proud of her accomplishment to provide for her family.
She told me that she worked everyday, but on Sundays she did not have to go to work until 5:30 in the evening and she could have the day to enjoy with her family and friends. As I checked out I thanked Elisabeth for being such a great example of a strong, successful woman. The smile on her face was worth a million dollars.
When I left the store, I could not help but continue to think about Elisabeth and her story. So often, we find people who complain about all they would have to do to be successful in their eyes and how they will never reach it. Not Elisabeth, she was excited about being a successful woman, able to take care of her family and home by herself.
I am glad that I got to meet Elisabeth and took the opportunity to talk to her, such a lesson I learned that morning.
Success is truly in the eyes and heart of each individual being, no one can measure it except for oneself.
Be inspired!
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