Two short stories for you today.

First Story:

I stopped by Publix the other day to buy a sandwich for lunch. Their deli has great sandwiches and the turkey breast sandwich is out of this world! Even though I had never been to this Publix before, I was greeted by Betty (saw her nametag) like I was her favorite customer. “Hi!” she beamed. “Good to see you! What can I make for you today?”

I placed my order and watched as she went to work on my sandwich as if the bread was a blank canvas. A work of art was being created right before my eyes. I complimented her about how great the sandwich looked. Yeah, it looked that good!

She replied, “Why thank you. When my husband and I retired, we decided to travel all over country. But after a year of doing so we got tired of life on the road, so we settled down in Florida. I decided I wanted to work a few hours a week, not for the money, but to do something I’d enjoy doing. Something that didn’t feel like work.

“My husband asked me what it was that I loved to do. And as silly as it sounds, I told him I’m good at and love making sandwiches. So here I am. I’ve been doing this for seven months now and I love it. I get to talk to and meet new people, like you, every day while making them a sandwich that I hope pleases them. What wouldn’t I like about this job?” Hard to argue that.

This lady found purpose, success, and happiness, making... of all things... sandwiches. She enjoyed people, and in her little way, shared some of that enjoyment in the simple act of making them the best sandwich possible. What better illustration of success? And I must say, perhaps it was the conversation I had with her, but I swear, that was one of the best sandwiches I ever had!

Second Story:

I’m waiting in line at Wal-Mart (sometimes the shopping takes less time than the checkout process… but that’s a story for another time.), when this gentleman behind me gives me a nod and a, “How are you today?”

I reply, “I’m fine. Thanks for asking. And how are you today?”

“I’m great!” he replies… as if he was hoping someone would ask. Then he proceeds to tell me about his life.

“I’m one of the fortunate ones who got to retire early. I worked at (company name withheld) when I got sick and it was determined that it was directly related to the job. They took out 21-½” of my colon and now I have to use a colostomy bag. BUT, I receive $5000 a month in tax free money… FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE! And I get full medical benefits! How lucky am I?” I’m thinking lucky? This poor guy. Then he continued.

“Soon as the money started rolling in, I divorced my wife and now my goal is to be with as many women as I can. I own three boats, a new house, and I just bought a new truck. I can buy anything I want!” Huh?

Almost teary eyed, he goes on, “It’s like I won the (insert expletive here) lottery!” He repeated it again, only louder as if I didn’t hear him the first time, “THE (bleeping) LOTTERY! I can’t believe my good fortune.”

He went on to tell me about how he would… ahem… be with women and all the toys he had. All the time I’m thinking, if the lady in front of me has an item that needs a price check… I’m just going to run out the door. But seriously, I was thinking that this man gets a second chance in life and this is what he’s doing with it? What type of legacy is he creating? But then again, I guess he really didn’t care.

How about you? How do you define happiness? Success? How do you answer the question: “Why do I matter?” (Translated: LEGACY)

Does success look like a sandwich… or… uh… not?