IF RALPH CAN EAT WITH STRANGERS, SO CAN YOU

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 I was sitting at a table eating lunch at the National Speakers Association national convention when a man with no arms sat down at our table.  He sort of muttered under his breath, “Now it’s time to watch Alvin eat.”   Then he put his feet on the table and began eating with his feet.  Now, I have to admit my first thought was one of extreme uneasiness.  Quite frankly, I had a difficult time dealing with this emotionally and aesthetically.  

 Now it’s not unusual to see people at NSA with various disabilities.  I saw an extremely tall man, way over seven feet in height; two “little people,” that looked no more than 2 feet tall, a man with an amputated leg—and so on…so I guess a man with no arms might not be so shocking.  

 You might ask, why are there so many people with disabilities at a speakers’ convention?  Most are motivational speakers who have overcome great adversity to lead meaningful lives. 

 Well, back to my story.  I wanted to learn more about Alvin and asked a friend of mine if she knew him.  She said she had heard him speak and he is a remarkable person…born with a birth defect…overcoming his disability, and the anger that came with it.  She said people often made fun of him and one time he got so upset he threw a hamburger at someone who was mocking him.

 Then I got to thinking.  I know so many people who don’t like networking because they are so self-conscientious; don’t know what to say; are shy, or afraid they won’t remember names.  Then you have Alvin who is brave enough to sit down with complete strangers and eat in a most unusual way.

 I’ve thought about, discussed with others…and quite frankly feel badly for my initial reaction.  But it has helped me grow—exactly what Alvin had in mind.

 We all have short comings—most not as severe as Alvin’s.  But that should not stop us from going out in the world…meeting others…and having a great life.

 This is David Sher your eNetworking guy saying it’s not what you know, but whoo you know.

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