Never Underestimate Your Importance
Most of us go through our lives never realizing how important we are to others, the universe, and life itself.
The story of Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup and how one small act of kindness in 1955 brought joy to millions around the world every Christmas Eve.
‘Is this Santa Claus?’
A misprinted ad and a good-hearted colonel sparked NORAD’s Christmas tradition
A phone number misprint in a Sears Christmas ad led to children calling a secure military line meant to alert the United States that the Soviets were attacking. Once Colonel Shuop realized the error, he made a decision with his heart and pretended he was Santa. Then, on Christmas Eve, a couple of his staff drew Santa on the official military map as a joke. Again, instead of reprimanding them, he called the local radio station to state they had an Unidentified Flying Object that looked like a sleigh. Then, each hour, he would call back with an update.
What he didn’t know at that moment was NORAD’s Santa Tracker was born. Colonel Shoup passed away in 2009, and we are still blessed with the annual Santa Tracking tradition he began almost 70 years ago.
JUST ONE PERSON
You may be thinking, “Well, I am a ‘regular’ person. What impact can I have?”
I will give you two examples from my life.
A PASSING COMMENT
I was at a birthday party in May of 2004; at that time in my life, I was contemplating my career. What do I do next? While talking about all the prizes we recently won, Ralph candidly said, “You should write a book.” (If you don’t know, I am also the Contest Queen and a contestor.)
After doing some research and a few serendipitous experiences, I decided to write my first book that led me down a path I never expected. I made friends for life, traveled to new places, and started one … two … three businesses. To-date I have written or republished eight books, three translations and three audiobooks, with dozens of future projects already planned.
This past summer, I saw Ralph at a BBQ and told him how he had changed my life. He knew I had become a writer, but he had no idea his passing comment had set me on my author journey.
That one comment has rippled out as the books, blogs, videos, etc., that I create and share have helped people all over the world bring more joy, happiness, and even prizes into their everyday lives.
A BELOVED BOOK
Then, there is the story of Evelyn Ryan, one of my favorite protagonists. After she passed away, her daughter Terry took all of Evelyn’s journals and whore the best-selling book The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio. The book was optioned and turned into the movie by the same name. Every sweepstaker I know has read the book, watched the movie, or both.
In 2008, I had the pleasure of visiting Defiance, Ohio, and met the remaining Affadaisies. What dynamic and brilliant women. I am sure they would have been advertising wizards had they lived in a different time. In 2010, I visited again—what turned out to be the last time—I visited Evelyn’s grave. She had no idea how many people were impacted by her life’s journey. I sat there, crying and told her so.
YOU ARE IMPORTANT
Now, I want you to reflect upon your life. At what points did it change? Were you impacted by something typically deemed inconsequential or a prominently big event? Did the person who changed your life know they did? I bet, like Ralph and Evelyn, they didn’t.
Now, move forward knowing that you have had the same impact on others you are unaware of. The ripples you create define time and distance. Never underestimate your importance.
