Emmanuel Sosanya is the owner of the local gym that I go to in Oklahoma City. He’s being in the fitness industry for several years, and he’s also been a public school teacher and coach. He’s great at what he does, too. He brings top-notch energy, encouragement with challenges and cares enough to know all of his clients’ names and a little bit about whats’s going on in each of their personal lives. As a father of three, along with his wife, he’s one he gives more than he takes, and each moment of giving is with a contagious joy.
This morning, I finally asked Coach E why he loves what he does so much. After thinking about it for a bit, he told me he just loved helping people. He loves watching individuals set goals and helping those folks achieve their goals, however long it may take.
As I was leaving the gym, I started thinking about how beautiful it is to hear people say they love helping others. It’s a generic enough term, and I think it can be taken as a cliche at times, but it’s extraordinary how broad ‘helping others’ stretches.
Firefighters help others, and so do teachers. Sales people help others, as do nurses and doctors. Pastors, missionaries, nonprofits, help desks - the list goes on and on. Everyone helping someone in some form or fashion. And that’s beautiful - that we’re all here in our jobs, helping. Hopefully you and I can always find the love in that.
-Cliff
Cliff’s Note: We’re all helping somebody, and when work sucks, dig deep to find the love in those you are helping.