You make me a better me
Every week or two I usually either pick up or drop off our grandson, Max at school. Every time I do so, I see his principal, Mr MacNeil, walking up and down the street in front of the school. He’s waving to students, talking to parents and teachers. I’m sure he has a bunch of other important things he could be doing but he makes this contact time a priority and he does an awesome job of being present.
And it doesn’t matter what the weather dishes up. Rain, snow, cold—he’s out there.
While we normally walk to school because it’s just up the street, last month, it was raining cats and dogs—so I drive him to school.
Well, everyone has the same idea. Cars are everywhere and the street is down to single lane, one way traffic (even though cars are going in both directions). In front of the school is a no parking zone for school buses only—I can’t park there, even though it’s open.
Across the street from where the buses would park is a no parking zone, I’m guessing to allow traffic to pass when the buses are parked. No one is parked there and since there’s no school buses here, I rationalize, it’s not going to take even 60 seconds—I’ll just pull curbside into the no parking zone.
“Ok Max, grab your umbrella. Let’s go.”
As we’re crossing the street, we make eye contact. He caught me !
It’s Mr MacNeil ! He’s wearing rubber boots, a heavy rain jacket and trying to keep his umbrella from being carried off in the wind.
He sees exactly where I’m parked and as we’re half way across the street, he smiles and says, “Wet one this morning, Max is good from here.” and motions it’s ok for me to head out on my way.
While he had every right to call me out for so many reasons, he said nothing to chastise me.
Nothing !
And I’m guessing I’m probably one of dozens of people he sees every day take advantage of the no parking zone for their own personal gain—and do so even when the weather is nice.
I get in the car and immediately think, “I’m not going to park in the no parking zone again.”
Here’s what I discovered—being nice, being present, being familiar, being non-judgmental, inspires others to be their best.
Mr. MacNeil makes me want to be a better me.
So for you, what one thing can you do today to be more like Mr. MacNeil ?
NOTE: Mr. MacNeil is the Principal at Springfield Elementary School in Halifax, NS and he thinks it’s the best school in the world.
