Lenny
and the Solar Calculator
by Brian Norris,
©August 2000
I met Lenny in Office Depot several weeks ago (2000) while testing different notebook computers. The previous two days had been dedicated to searching the web, learning everything there was to know about laptop computers. What could I get for under $2000.00? What were the best features, screen types, brand names? What did other people have to say about their experiences?
As I walked onto the computer aisle, I overheard a man in his early 50s talking to an Office Depot employee about which type of notebook computer to purchase. The employee acknowledged me with a swift hello and continued to answer the customer's questions. Still, a look of confusion blanketed the man's face.
"I've never had or used a computer before, so I want the best. What features do I need?" said the man in a discernable New York accent. I chimed in, "You want at least a 13 inch, TFT monitor, so you can see it from both directions. Don't get anything less than a six gigabyte hard drive and 64 megs of memory. If you can afford it, don't settle for anything less than a 600 MHZ processor, an internal CD drive or DVD drive and an extra lithium ion battery."
The employee shook his head in agreement and smiled, welcoming me into the conversation. The gentlemen turned to me -- echoing the employee's smile, and held out his hand to offer a weak handshake. "Thank you very much, I'm Lenny Shaw." I introduced myself and offered a few more dos and don'ts for purchasing a laptop computer.
Lenny, whom I now noticed use a cane and wore some type of wired electric box on the waist of his pants, asked if I would help him pick out the best laptop that Office Depot offered. In amusement (amazing things can happen when money is no object) I agreed and followed Lenny and the employee to the Compaq, build your-own-notebook computer station. DVD, Re-writeable CD, 128mb, 800MHZ Pentium III, 15.1 inch TFT screen, all the latest software, Genuine leather carrying cases, extra batteries, 3 year service plans ... the options went on and on. At around $4000.00 Lenny and I had created a beautiful package.
"I envy you," I said with a smile "that's going to be a dream machine." Lenny just turned to me, looked me in the eyes and said, "Don't envy me. You don't know what I had to go through to be able to afford this."
Lenny wanted to talk and suggested we find a seat in the office furniture section since standing for long periods made him prone to blackouts. I compromised by finding a seat in the clearance section at the front of the store. Over the next hour, I listened and listened as Lenny proceeded to tell me his life story and his dreams of owning a radio station. Here, in a much condensed version, is a synopsis of Lenny's life…
In the late 70s, Lenny was taken hostage during a robbery at a bank in New York. Shots were fired and one of the bullets found their way into Lenny, puncturing a lung, grazing two vertebras, leaving him physically paralyzed and mentally debilitated. The doctors said Lenny would never walk again. But he did. After years of rigorous therapy and sheer will power, Lenny defied the odds and regained use of his legs and arms. In the meantime, lawsuits were filed against the bank for negligence (they hired off-duty, gun-carrying police officers to work as tellers to avoid the additional costs of security).
After years of court battles and virtual wars between different law firms, Lenny was awarded 1.7 million dollars for damages. His case set a legal precedence and Lenny earned a footnote in legal textbooks. Little compensation for a life of pain, mega-doses of Valium and the daily challenges of living with physical and mental disabilities.
After standing for an hour while he sat and talked and talked, I politely let Lenny know I had to go. Before I left. though, he pulled out a yellowed ad from a 1998 catalog featuring calculators. "Brian," said Lenny, "Will you help me find a calculator?"
I took the catalog from his hands, asked an employee where the calculators were and walked with Lenny. There it was. A $19.97 Casio Solar Calculator designed especially to equate bonds and mutual funds -- precisely want Lenny wanted. I showed Lenny his other options. Lenny smiled victoriously and looked up to the ceiling whispering. "Thank you, God. Thank you God for sending Brian to help me today." I wished Lenny well. He asked if he could call me if he needed more help with computers.
"Of course," I said and gave him my number.
"You'd really do that for me?" he said
"Yes, I would and I will" I responded. As I walked away, Lenny offered to pay for my laptop, (too which I humbly declined) for my help and time that evening. Lenny had already given me some timeless gifts of reminders and lessons.
Lessons learned, I didn't spend two days learning about laptops for me. EVERYTHING has a cosmic purpose behind it The universe needed me to show Lenny everything he needed to know about laptops before plopping down three grand. The universe decided that I should also be the one to help him locate a Solar Casio for bonds and mutual funds.
That's why my colleague, Allison Blankenship, told me about her affiliation with National Seminars Group six months ago. That's why Micki Holliday (National's curriculum director) called when she did to see if I was interested in teaching a seminar on Designing for the Web in California, and why I had to finally learn about the best laptops (I purchased a Toshiba Satellite 1650 in the end).
And yes, that's why I had to go to Office Depot -- that evening ... because that's where Lenny would be.
Lenny needed someone to talk to that evening, and I needed, for once, to just shut up and be the listener. Because I needed to be reminded that wealth often comes with a price. Lenny's story taught me that if you aren't willing to pay up when you get what you've always wanted, then stop wishing for it.
Finally, you are reading this article for a reason. Wherever you are right now, whatever you're going through, good, bad, personally or professionally, know that you matter and that you too are here for a reason. Whether you fulfill that purpose in the next five minutes or five days with a hug, a patient ear, a phone call or email, never lose sight of the impact you have on the people around you -- and vice versa. Know too that your product or service, message, experience and expertise is touching others every moment that you breathe. These components are extensions of you.
Ultimately, you are here to be someone's light, someone's solution, and someone is here to be yours. After all, the world is full of Lennys and the universe works in peculiar ways.
Brian Norris is a professional speaker and author of Escape Life Sucks Syndrome. He helps individuals to live with passion and positivity. He helps companies to improve morale, lead better and market their products and services more dynamically. You can reach Brian by emailing info@BrianNorris.com.