September 25,  2002

        Himself calls them "mitzvahs".  Those moments when you've done something nice for someone else.  i just call it part of my nature - i can't help it!

      A few people at work have just barely got a handle on the English language.  Now they are all very intelligent people.  But they are often frustrated by their inability to express clearly what they need done, and get left behind as the rest of us English speaking folk blindly rush ahead.  So one of the managers looked into the cost of language lessons.  This was a successful endeavor, and because there were a few people to enroll we were able to get a better fee.  Because i work closely with the managers (who all answer to my VPs) i knew all this was happening.

      While the course was being arranged, i happened upon another young lady in a separate branch of our department browsing through a course catalogue.  Nosy me asks what she is going to study - and you guessed it - it was English.  i also happen to know she is raising a child and doesn't have tons of money.  i mentioned the course to her, but wasn't sure if she'd be able to go as the funding portion would come from a different VP.  We sighed and she continued on with her catalogue browsing.

      i couldn't let it go.  Something in me just didn't feel right about all this. Next thing i know, i'm firing off an email to the VP in question, explaining the need, and the solution being arranged in his colleague's dept.  i was skeptical at best as to what the response would be.  But lo and behold! He replies back with a "speak to her manager, and if he okay's, I'll okay..."  Whoa!  

      Her manager works as late as i do. i had a chat with him immediately, and the next day a chat with the original manager who found the course. i encouraged them to meet with each other to share details.  And then i crossed my fingers.  It's an expensive endeavor - about $2,500.00 per person.

      Yesterday morning i arrived back at work (from my mini vacation) to find a hugely beaming young lady who couldn't wait to thank me.  To be honest, at first i couldn't figure out what she was thanking me for - and then i remembered the course!  "Yes!" she says, she gets to attend and even better it's a one on one tutorial and the instructor comes to the workplace.  She doesn't have to worry about going out late at night or on weekends.  And the company is paying. We beamed at each other :-)

      When i got back to my desk, i found another thank you in my email from her.  i forwarded all of this on to the original manager - i felt she should share in the good feeling of having helped someone.

      So all of this is what Himself calls a mitzvah.  He says when you do something nice for people, it comes back to you.  Maybe he's right - the smile on that girl's face still has my spirits lifted.  And that's a nice feeling.      

 

      Hint:  email

Note:  pics below are clickable for navigation