I saw him at Subway. I am guessing he was around 32. His hair was disheveled and he had a mustard stain on his t-shirt. The woman he was with looked like his grandma. There was a walker parked nearby. She was helping him eat his submarine sandwich and wiping the drool off his face. He smiled, he rocked, and he squealed with glee. His hands were covered with red goop - I think it came from the tomato that squirted out of his sandwich. Every little bite was taken with full pleasure and delight. I have never seen anyone enjoy eating anything as much as this man.

It made me reflect on how most of us rarely even taste the food we eat. About how we go through life barely minding the flavors in our meals, the color in our neighborhoods, and the amazing wealth of experience in the people we connect with. We spend lots of time going through life and hardly notice the world we live in. We miss a lot because we're simply not focusing on the miracle of all of the creations around us and we overlook many things that we ought to be thankful for.

Watching this man eat his sub made me wonder about his way of life. Definitely he was not able to live exactly like the rest of us. He was unable to speak clearly, he couldn't walk without assistance, and even though I can't be sure, it seemed that having any type of work was beyond his potential. He was perhaps not married or engaged in any sort of intimate relationship. His life was totally different. One could say he was short changed and his life lacked some of the common privileges the rest of us are given. Some might feel sorry for him and some might feel terrified to live in such a situation. But he was happy. What a rich life indeed.


Kim Ades, MBA, President of Frame of Mind Coaching and JournalEngine™ Software, is one of North America’s foremost experts on performance through thought management. By using her unique process of coaching through journaling, she works with clients to unveil and switch their thought patterns to ignite significant change and life transformation. Start your own gratitude journal at www.frameofmindcoaching.com.