Monday, February 10, 2020

A Lesson in Work

By André van Heerden, Communications Director

I was recently at my son’s weekend basketball tournament. I’ve been to many before. Team after team file in and out of high school gyms to play their games—and with them, they bring parents, siblings, belongings, food, and lots of dirt and garbage.

It doesn’t take long before the gym floor, stands, hallways, and washrooms are a mess. Often the basketball courts get slippery with dust, and the washrooms and stands need a desperate clean.

But at this particular tournament, everything was spotless. And it was very evident why. One elderly custodian clearly took pride in his work.

Between games and half-times, he swept the court. During the games, he was sweeping the hall and cleaning the washrooms. As one group of spectators left and others crowded in, he scoured every level of the stands for debris. The garbage bins were changed before they ever got full, and every smudge on every window was meticulously wiped away.

When I mentioned what a great job this fellow was doing to some other spectators, they had all noticed the same thing. There wasn’t one person who hadn’t noticed. A number of people, including myself, thanked him for his diligent work in maintaining a spotless facility. He simply smiled and said thanks.

As we were leaving the stands at the end of one particular game, I noticed a dirty Kleenex hidden under one of the bleachers. I wondered how long it would take the super custodian to find it and whisk it away. But then I reached down and took it to the garbage can myself. I didn’t like the thought of anything blemishing the custodian’s area and wanted to help, as it was clear how much pride he took in his work.

The philosopher Plato noted that “good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.”

After other basketball tournaments, I’ve left hoping my son has picked up on the examples set by other players. Maybe he’ll notice how to drive hard to the basket or move his feet on defense.

But not at this particular tournament. At this one, I left hoping my son had picked up on the example set by the custodian. Take pride in the work you’re doing. I’m guessing there were many other parents hoping their child would learn the same thing.

A Lesson in Work

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