Do what you like. I’ m not a judge. But I have no plans to show up at a cuddle party any time soon. I’ d rather work to build the bonds of humanity with those already around me by being loving to my kids and other family, kind to my friends and supportive of my teammates and clients. Just doing that would give me all the cuddles I need.
38. The Value of Good
After I gave a speech for a major telecommunications company, a woman walked up to me with tears in her eyes.“ Robin, I’ ve read all your books and try my best to live the kind of life you write about. But there was a man who actually lived your message. He died a few months ago. He was my dad.” She paused, and looked down the floor.“ Five thousand people showed up at my father’ s funeral,” she said.“ The whole town was there. I was so honored to see that.”
“ Was your dad a well – known businessperson?” I asked.“ No”, she replied.“ A popular politician?” I wondered aloud.“ No,” she whispered.“ Was your father some kind of a local celebrity?” No Robin, he wasn’ t all that.”“ Then why did 5000 people come to your dad’ s funeral?” I had to ask.
Another long pause.“ They came because my father was a man who always had a smile on his face. He was the kind of person who was always the first to help someone in need. He always treated people incredibly well and was unfailingly polite. He walked the earth ever so lightly. Five thousand people showed up at my dad’ s funeral because he was good.”
Whatever happened to valuing being good? Reality TV shows exhibit the worst of human behavior. We see music super stars who swear every five seconds. We read about corporate leaders who fill their pockets to buy bigger boats while share – holders lose their life savings. I love the movie Wall Street. But Gordon Geeko got it wrong: Greed isn’ t good. Good is good.