Focusing on What Matters

I met a new friend the other day - we’ll call him Jared. He’s the kind of man that the world would not think much of. He’s not tall. He is rather odd socially, and his skin problems would deter any modeling agency.

The two of us met as he was hanging around the coworking space. I was working on my article for the day and he came over and sat down to talk.

Because Jared is a bit awkward, he ask me the classic question, “what do you do?”

As I am reading through the book, Start With Why, I was in a particularly inspired mood. While Jared waited for my answer, I looked him in the eyes and said how I hated that question - with a smile of course.

After Jared visibly recovered from my statement, I went on a diatribe about the book I was reading and why talking about our cause, and what we believe is so important.

As I went on for a couple minutes, I saw the fire start burning in Jared’s eyes - he wanted to tell his story.

I listened as Jared shared why he was in school and what his dream was. He talked about his love for Christ and sports. His cause is to help people live better lives through those passions.

When Jared finished, we could both tell that something special had started. A friendship and camaraderie had formed because of who we are.

What excites me the most is that Jared has decided to join the ever growing community we have at @thefoundry. He wants to start his own business and take advantage of the network of mentors in our area.

I have no clue where this friendship will go or what Jared will do with his life. The important thing to me is that he will be around like minded people that want him to succeed.

We don’t look at Jared as some oddity and unworthy of our time. He has skills and talents that are unique to him and only he can share with people.

If we miss the odd ones, we miss what God has placed in them. He doesn’t look at the outward appearance, and neither should we.

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