If not you, then who?

A number of years ago, I was at a conference. Along with 100+ of my Community Development peers, I bounced from session to session. Most of that day is blurred in my memory, but one session will stay with me forever.

This speaker was a brilliant storyteller. He shared life lessons through stories. His stories took the listener on a visual journey with him.

He had a gift.

One story, in particular, has been imprinted on my being. It has become a story that I have retold and passed on to many of my peers since. That’s the power of a good story. Words of wisdom layered and woven together. Its simplicity and sincerity growing in strength with every breath and word spoken. Catching the wind, it flows and settles, flows and settles.

This storyteller was a leader of a First Nation. His gentle voice echoed throughout the conference room. With every word spoken, I leaned closer.

This was the story he shared, and how I remember it.

He and his grandson were driving through town. Along their journey, they passed a playground. The grandson noticed how overgrown the grass was around the playground, and said, ‘Look how tall the grass is. Someone should do something about that.’ The Grandfather remained quiet. He made a detour and circled back to his home. The grandson said, ‘what are you doing? I thought we were going to…..” The grandfather remained quiet. Upon arriving at the house, the Grandfather told his grandson to wait while he exited the car. The Grandfather went to his shed, and when he reappeared he was pushing his lawnmower. He returned to his truck, and looked to his grandson, and said, ‘You’re right, someone should do something about that. And you’re someone. Let’s go“

Lesson learned.

I’m sure his grandson will think twice before critiquing from the sidelines.

How often do we think, ‘someone should do something about that.”

I know I have.

The difference for me now is that when those words creep through, I hear the Elder’s voice, saying “You’re right. Someone should do something. And you’re a someone.”

We are all a someone.

If not you, then who?

If not now, then when?

This lesson was the catalyst for me launching my first business, CanEast Mobility Scooter Rentals Inc. Through my sister’s experience, I became acutely aware of the barriers and challenges that existed for someone simply wanting a short-term rental of mobility equipment. I witnessed this first hand, and my outward reaction was, ‘This is ridiculous. A city the size of Halifax, and this is as good as we can offer. Someone should do something about that.” And my inner voice responded, “I’m a somebody. And I can do something about that.”

And that’s how my small social purpose heart-centered business came to be.

I was a someone. You are a someone.

We are all a someone.

If not you, then who?

If not now, then when?

With gratitude,

Nicole Osmond

Customer Success Coach

As a Customer Success Coach and 3 X business owner, I am living my passion and helping companies succeed by cultivating a customer committed mindset.

A Writer with Heart – I weave words together to stimulate, elevate, and motivate. My blog is my canvas to share my ‘experience nuggets’ with you! Thanks for stopping by! With gratitude, always – Nicole