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April 18, 2006

There’s No Putting ME in a Box

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 1:10 pm

A Heartwarming Story

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One more story–this one will explain the last. You may already know it. It’s inspiring and heartwarming. I’ve encountered it more than once myself.

A few years ago, at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with relish to run the race to the finish and win.

All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry.

They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back……every one of them. One girl with Down’s Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, “This will make it better.” Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line. Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story.

It’s a lovely read, but it’s not what happened.

The story is not true, it’s become a legend. People believe it. I find that a little bit scary.

The True Story

According to the State of Washington, where this event of the Special Olympics occurred in 1976, a young man did fall and two or three runners did stop to help him. The small group walked together to the finish.

It’s an inspiring story still–more inspiring to me.
[via Snopes.com]

People in Boxes

The problem with the legend is that it puts all of the runners in a box. It takes away both from the athletes who chose to give up what they trained for and those who continued to run on toward their dream.

People in boxes are hard to see.

Sometimes when I’m at a blog, I read something that puts people in boxes. I can’t help but think, if you put teachers, or truck drivers, or politicians, or photographers, or ice-skaters in a box, how soon before you do the same to me? I usually don’t go back, but I’m just one reader.

Do you know what I mean?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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9 Comments to “There’s No Putting ME in a Box”

  1. April 18th, 2006 at 3:21 pm
    Joe said

    Hey Liz,

    Yeah, I think I do. I am not the PC (politically correct) kind. The whole country is turning into a bunch of ACLU types.

    If I am in a race, whether it is for the gold, or any other prize, I like to win.

    Everybody is NOT equal, if we were we wouldn’t feel good when we win, nor would we feel bad when we lose.

    If every kid gets a medal, then the medal is worthless. There has to be a goal in life, something to work for. If everyone is the same and gets a reward for just showing up, then what’s the point. Nothing to work for, they get the prize anyway, why try.

    Maybe I don’t get the point of this, but I’m not in the Box either.

    I am me. Individual. Unlike anyone else. Unique.

    I work for what I get, and when I do, I feel good because I worked for it.

    Joe

    Sorry for the rant…
    J.

  2. April 18th, 2006 at 3:59 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hey, Joe,
    Didn’t feel like a rant to me. Felt like you were saying what you feel.

    Personally, I don’t like to be group into a bunch with others, packed up and tied with a pretty ribbon, and then figured to be taken care of. It’s the same to me as people telling me what to think.

  3. April 18th, 2006 at 4:19 pm
    Joe said

    Hey Liz,

    I don’t think any of us like to be bunched together and categorized.

    That’s probably one reason we are proud to be bloggers, we say what we think.

    It’s a good thing.

    Joe

  4. April 18th, 2006 at 4:22 pm
    ME Strauss said

    It is a good thing Joe.

    And in keeping with the theme. It’s good to keep in mind when we think about the other guy–like our readers and our customers.

  5. April 18th, 2006 at 4:25 pm
    Mark Wade said

    Funny - to think I was just tellin’ you to get out of the box the other day hehehe

  6. April 18th, 2006 at 4:28 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Every now and then when I’m hopelessly lost and wandering aimlessly, I’ll wake up inside one. Then I’ll have to tear my way out into the light again. Some folks pain themselves into a corner. I think myself into a box. . . .

    GRIN

  7. April 18th, 2006 at 4:34 pm
    Joe said

    One thing to remember is you asked for your readers opinions, and you listened. And you acted.

    I think your Brand You and Me is something that more people should take to heart. It is important to ask, listen, hear and act.

    Not to start a Liz-fest, but you did just that. It does make my visits all the more pleasant.

    Joe

  8. April 18th, 2006 at 4:37 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Thanks Joe, for noticing.
    I knew what I was doing going in. I wasn’t happy with where things were going. I get tired of listening to me talking. :)

  9. April 24th, 2006 at 7:35 am
    Successful Blog - Don’t Hijack My Attention said

    […] Related articles There’s No Putting ME in a Box Stats: A Question? Do You Know a Customer When You See One? Customer Think: Saying Things without Talking Technorati Tags: blog promotion customer think hijacking attention […]

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