Hidden gems are all around us — all we have to do is see them

Let’s take a little walk on the “pawsitive” side of life with a story worth talking about: The hidden gems in our midst.

They won’t toot their own horn, so we are going to do that for them!

It's easy to make assumptions about who people are or what they are saying. With a quick glance, we size up a person or a situation — how they dress, the job they have, where they live — giving us an incomplete picture. Most of the time, people, especially those in the service industry, won’t say, “I’m doing an important job, look at me!” And we sometimes overlook those who make our everyday lives so much better, assuming they will just keep doing their jobs whether or not we acknowledge them. It’s time to bring attention to those who may be overlooked.

Each of us makes assumptions. Sometimes it’s necessary to make assumptions, like when encountering a skunk crossing your path. It’s good to assume avoiding it is the best thing to do! More often though, assumptions can work against us and keep us from truly getting to know someone. We put that person in a box they really don’t fit into. This can happen with dogs too.

I have a mini-Labradoodle named Arty. You would think because he is a combination of two water-loving dog breeds (poodle and Labrador) that he would love swimming and enjoying the amazing lakes in this area, right?

Wrong! Those big lakes are scary to him. No, his way of enjoying water is more like playing with hoses and sprinklers. Based on his breeding, I assumed he would like swimming. I quickly found out his preferences were not what I had first thought and needed to find out what he truly enjoyed.

David Moreland of Panhandle Waste Service is our trash collector, one of the hidden gems in our community. Our introduction to his character was our first week at our new home when we had forgotten to put the can at the end of our very long driveway. About 5 a.m., a time when we weren’t even aware he was at our house, he ran down the driveway, emptied the trash and even put our can back at the house. When I texted him later to thank him, he told us he knew moving is hard and we had forgotten, so he just helped a little. Talk about being kind!

People have assumptions about the person behind the wheel of a garbage truck. In fact, some folks are surprised I know his name. Why would I not know his name? He comes weekly like clockwork, responds to texts in a most timely manner (especially when there’s a good joke about trash), does an amazing job of hauling off our trash and obviously enjoys his job! Just like Arty might be seen as a “less-than-Labrador quality dog” because he doesn’t like swimming, David may be seen as “less-than" and assumed to be someone who cannot do anything but “drive a truck,” someone who is uneducated or lacks skill to do anything else, who wants an easy job with no danger and is doing this as a last resort or someone who isn’t good with people.

Each one of these assumptions is WRONG. In fact, David is one of the hidden gems.

David is educated, smart, kind, has a great sense of humor and provides well for his family. He’s a former U.S. Marine (thank you David for your sacrifice of serving!), so throw out the assumption that he’s afraid of work and cannot handle danger. He’s an entrepreneur and owns his own business, so throw out the assumption he isn’t good with people and doesn’t have brain power. We’ve known him now for over six years. He helps people whenever he can, and he even knows (and loves) the song that Oscar the Grouch from "Sesame Street" sings called, “I Love Trash.” Occasionally, a “little something” (see photo) is left on top of the trash can for him as a way of saying “Thanks for your excellent service! We appreciate you! We see the work you are doing!” Through the years, I’ve learned he loves pineapple and prefers not to eat chocolate chip cookies. He is a very hard worker and would NEVER ask for recognition. Yet it’s that very humility that makes his work even better. Given that he received Citizen of the Year in our local town, we are not the only ones who think highly of him!

Trash collectors are not the only ones in our society who would benefit from less judgment. No person benefits from being sized up by their job, whether a mail carrier, a janitor, a car wash attendant, a house cleaner, an employee holding a sign along the road or any other profession, nor by being judged by their appearance, the car they drive, the clothes they wear, their ethnicity or religion. Each of us has a name, a story and a reason for doing what we do and believing what we believe.

Just like Arty, a Labradoodle who isn’t into swimming, let’s not make assumptions. Let’s take a moment to look past the job and see the person — to see them for who they truly are. Say thanks, learn their names and get to know the people who make your life a little easier or who have served their country faithfully. Let’s give people space to be themselves, to find their own joy and purpose and be seen for who they truly are.

The next time you find yourself tempted to make an assumption, remember there's always more to someone than what you see on the surface. Discover the “hidden gems” in your community. As someone who recently reminded me, character is more important than characteristics. By shelving assumptions, you may be surprised at what you learn and the friends you make along the way.

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Amy Hebert of Athol is the small business owner of Arty Greeting Cards, with cards featuring Mr. Smarty Arty. Her business is all about connecting with others to encourage, uplift and share love in this fast-paced and sometimes harsh world. Info: artygreetingcards.com

For more about “Shelving assumptions” from Arty’s point of view, click read his latest blog post: artygreetingcards.com/arty-tricks-and-tales/shelving-assumptions

    Mini-Labradoodle Arty is not much of a swimmer, despite his breeds being associated with loving water. No, his way of enjoying water is more like playing with hoses and sprinklers. This is one example of how assumptions can be misleading.
  

    Occasionally, Amy Hebert leaves a little treat or gift on top of the trash can as a way of saying to her trash collector, “Thanks for your excellent service! We appreciate you! We see the work you are doing!”