When I was home last month I saw an Oprah show about celebrities going back to their first jobs. Suze Orman was part of that show. Her first job was as a waitress, life was tough then for her. During the course of her interview, the line that struck me the most was when she said that no matter what her life’s circumstances were, before her popularity, she always made sure to “make average look good.”
The words have resonated in me and when I find myself struggling on a particular day, I very quickly remind myself that the most responsible thing I can do is remember to make average look great!
When I met Manikyam Lote, she reminded me of a woman living with the same spirit. Born and raised in South India, but currently residing in the lowest housing strata in a suburb of Mumbai, India she is the sole supporter of her family. She does not always have running water and electricity in her home. She does not have the support of her husband. She has been solely responsible in caring for the elderly members of her family and she has single handedly raised two respectful and responsible sons.
Although she has educated her children and her youngest son will soon be graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce, she herself is not educated. Not able to get a job in this overpopulated city, she decided to start off on her own. She started 20 years ago providing fresh cooked meals to those in and around her colony area. She provided any meal requested at any time. She rose to every occasion and accepted every challenge without complaint.
Today, both because of her hard work and because of two other women who wanted to see her succeed, she has expanded her business and has now started providing her meals to corporate offices. Most recently she even began catering group events for a couple of the corporations.
In case you are wondering, she cooks well…brilliantly well. When you meet her, you will never know how she lives or what she’s been through. All you see is a woman with the warmest smile and one who is happy to share with you an equally heartfelt hug.
It keeps me humble to meet people like Manikyam. It reminds me to pay attention to living examples of joy around me. It makes me remember to make my average (life) look great!
This proves the old saying right :
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade .
I truly believe that the right attitude can get you through anything. Hats off to people like her who can apply these sayings without even knowing it, to real life.