The Power Of 'Hello'

And finally we end our program today with a new essay from the NPR serial THIS I BELIEVE.

Today we hear from Howard White of pulling organ. As a young man he played basketball for University of Mailman. He was drafted by the NBA, but injuries interrupted his career while he is now /the/ vice president of Nike. And he considers himself of a fortunate man. And he feels his belief is a big part of that good fortune. Here’s the series curator independent /write/ producer Jay Allison with more.

Hi, Jay.

Hi, Michelle. You know when people write for our series, they often look to larger issues in life to defend their beliefs, but not Howard White. He looked at the smallest things. And that’s maybe because he began life small himself as a premature baby and then as the basketball star. So he knows that small beginnings can lead to large outcomes. And that’s the Howard White’s belief. Here’s Howard White with his essay, THIS I BELIEVE.

I worked at a company where there are about a zillion employees. I can say that no /but their/ by name, but then know my fair share with them. I think that almost all of them know me. I say that that’s the reason I have been able to go wherever it is if made toward this world. It’s all based on one simple principle. I believe every single person deserves to be acknowledged, however small or simple the greeting.

When I was about ten years old, I was walking down the street with my mother. She shopped to speak to Mr. Lee. I was busy trade booms at the zero at stop sang with the rock. I knew see Mr. Lee in the old town around the neighborhood. So I didn’t pay any attention to him. After we passed Mr. Lee, my other stopped me and said something that had stuck with me from that day until now. She said “you let that be the last time you ever walk by somebody not open your mouth to speak, because even a dog can wag its tail when it passes you on the street.” That pharse sound simple, but it’s been a gap pose for me in the foundation of who I am.

When you write an essay like this, you look in a mirror and see who you are, and what makes up your character.

I realize my aim will see minute that day when I was ten years old. Even then, I started to see when I spoke to someone. They spoke back and that felt good. It’s that just something I believe in. It’s become a way of life.

I believe that every person deserves to feel someone acknowledges their presence, no matter how humble they may be, or even how important.

At work, I always used to say hello to the founder of the company and ask him how our business was doing. But I was also speaking to the people in the café, and the people that clean the buildings, and ask how their children were doing.

I remembered that after a few years of passing by the founder, I had the courage to ask him for a meeting. We had a great talk. At a certain point I asked him, how far he thought I could go in his company. He said “if you want to, you can get all the way to this seat.”

I’ve become vice president, but that hasn’t changed the way I approach people. As I followed my mother’s advice, I speak to everyone I see, no matter where I am. I’ve learned that speaking to people creates the pathway until their world, and it lets them come into mine too.

The day you speak to someone that has their hat hailed down. And when they lifted up and smiled, you realize how powerful it is just open your mouth and say hello.

That was Howard White with his essay for THIS I BELIEVE.

Before his mother passed away, she told Howard that what she wanted her great grandchildren to know about her was that she knew how to talk to people. Michelle will be hoping to tell more listeners will talk to us about their beliefs, big or small, all the information and all the essays from NPR.org.

For THIS I BELIEVE, I’m Jay Allison. Back to you, Michelle.

Thank you, Jay. Jay Allison is a co-editor with Den Gadman, John Gragrey and Viky Merry of the book THIS I BELIEVE, the personal philosophies of remarkable men and women. And that’s the program for today. I’m Michelle and this is tell me more often, NPR News. Let’s talk more tomorrow.