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Success & Humility
Posted on June 28th, 2009 7 comments
I helped my wife start her janitorial/cleaning business over 15 years ago. The business did well over the years and we learned some things about sales, service and how to and how not to operate a business.
We cleaned some of the filthiest places on the planet in our early days of the business. We worked for a real estate company and at times I would work until midnight and managed to work a full time job too.
When she got sick in 2003 I would still help her and do some of the work so she could keep her business going. That includes this big church that we have been cleaning every Saturday for all those years now.
She no longer has her business because of being so sick, but we did keep the church account and I continue to clean it every Saturday as always. I always try to do it myself every Saturday, but leaving her at the house is hard to do when she insists on going too.
Scrubbing Toilets.
Last night I was doing my work in the church, this time as I was scrubbing the toilets it struck me funny. I thought, “If people could see me now” and I had to laugh out loud. Here I am, the Warrior of Success scrubbing toilets.
If you would like to stay humble, scrub some toilets for people that you will never meet.
First let me say, I see nothing wrong with doing this work at all.
I do think that we need to keep ourselves grounded, humbled and never forget where we came from. When I use the word humble I don’t mean we should be beneath others or that we should feel unworthy of great things.
Meek & Humility.
To be meek and humble in the martial arts world means that I have the ability to hurt you at any moment, but it is my choice not to. It also means that I have skills and abilities that I have earned and after much hard work I could boast about, but it is my choice not to.
At the same time I keep my confidence high and remain bold in my actions and humble in my approach.
It’s a great feeling when you master that balance.
Do you have some toilets to scrub?
Hope you all have a wonderful week.
Enjoy the journey
R. Lynn Lane
7 responses to “Success & Humility”
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I’m so sorry to hear that your wife is so ill. It must be hard to know someone you love is so sick and you can’t help. But of course you do help by cleaning the church for her every week among the other countless things I’m sure you do for her.
I’m always “scrubbing toilets” too. Child care is far from a glamorous job but for me it is extremely rewarding.God Bless You both.
Lisa McLellan
Babysitting Services – Babysitters and Nannies -
Duane Cunningham June 29th, 2009 at 05:05
Hi Lynn,
That would have to be one of the most compelling posts I have read, every word of what you wrote has such a powerful message and is what ‘true’ success is
Thank you!
Duane
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Hey, Lynn, that was a great post. Being humble is something we all should strive to be because it’s the right thing to do, and also it helps us in the long run. After all, pride comes before a fall.
Health, Fitness — Darryl Pace
Fitness Product Review -
What a wonderful post.
Yes. I DO have toilets to scrub.
Thank you. This was perfect.
JJ
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Newport Beach, Widow Support, Bereavement Counseling, Divorce Recovery, Grief Support, Orange County, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Irvine July 4th, 2009 at 18:20
Hi Lynn,
Indeed, toilet scrubbing is such a simple and grounding thing to do. Of course, I use rubber gloves at all times… It’s just so basic and needs to be done. Like washing the dishes and cleaning the stove top each day.
It’ll be dirty again in a few hours, but for now, it is beautiful and clean.
Best regards,
April Braswell
Single Boomer Dating Expert, Business Relationship Success Coach
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Lynn,
So sorry to hear about your wife. She must be one hell of a woman if she has kept going since 2003!Humility has been something I have struggled with in the past. I grew up in less than favorable conditions and tried like hell to overcome that. Part of that was mistakenly being above certain jobs and tasks.
I do not have martial arts training but do have much Zen training and have gained much power and humility from all of the time and hard work that maintaining such a practice entails.
I really, really liked this post. It was a good one for me to hear today. Thanks again for your simple yet powerful words of wisdom.
Anthony
http://www.anthonylemme.com -
Lynn,
This was simply a wonderful post. It brought tears to my eyes. Truly, you are a warrior of success on so many fronts. You and your wife are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Pam
Expert Houston Retirement Planning & Wealth Management Services
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Lisa McLellan June 28th, 2009 at 21:10