Heart, Attitude and a Big Splash of Enthusiasm is Alive and Well in Indy.

Heart, Attitude and Enthusiasm are alive and well in Indiana at least with Indianapolis residents Art Bouvier and Jhaqueil Reagan. In a story by Melissa Knowles titled, Stranger’s Generosity Changes Teen’s Life and Employment Status for the Yahoo News Blog “Trending Now,” 18 year old Jhaqueil was walking to a job interview when he encountered Art Bouvier spreading rock salt outside of his restaurant after an ice storm and asked how far it was to 10th and Sherman. Bouvier told him it was at least 6 or 7 miles and recommended Reagan take a bus due to the distance and severe weather. Reagan thanked him and continued on his way.

Later while driving to get coffee with his wife, Bouvier encounters Reagan again, still walking. Bouvier pulled over to offer him a ride. In the car, Reagan explained he was on his way to an interview at a thrift store and had no money for bus fare. He told Bouvier and his wife that his mother passed away a couple of years ago and he was taking care of his two younger siblings. Reagan dropped out of high school, but was able to get his GED, he explained to the Bouviers.

Bouvier was so impressed, that he told Reagan he would offer him a job at double the salary even if the young man was offered the thrift store job. Jhaqueil Reagan accepted and recently started his new job at Papa Roux, the restaurant Bouvier owns.

In Don’t Seek Success – Be Happi, I break down the principle of Heart into three parts; the Moral Heart is defined has having the courage to do the right thing regardless of the risk of opposition, disapproval of others, social embarrassment, or exclusion. The Mental Heart is having the courage to engage in something with passion, determination, discipline, and stamina. The Emotional Heart is having the courage to love without which we cannot be kind, true, forgiving, generous, and emphatic.

Art Bouvier shows us what it means to have a Moral and Emotional Heart. He picked Jhaqueil up, gave him a ride and then after hearing his story, offered the young man a job because it was the right thing to do. Bouvier’s Emotional Heart kicked in with kindness, generosity and empathy.

How many would have taken the time to pick a strange boy up and offer him a ride? Let alone give him a job on the spot at double whatever the other establishment was going to pay?

There was another reason Bouvier offered the young man the job. He loved Jhaqueil Reagan’s Mental Heart! Without question, young Jhaqueil Reagan shows all of us a thing or two about a Mental Heart.

The Mental Heart is defined by passion, determination, discipline and stamina, and Reagan has all of those traits in spades. He loved his siblings and was passionate about taking care of them. He was determined to find a job to support the family, perhaps trying to keep them out of Foster Care. He showed incredible determination and stamina in trying to walk over 7 miles to take an interview for a job. Bouvier was impressed to say the least.

In addition to his amazing Mental Heart, Jhaqueil has an awesome Attitude, the fourth core principle in the Don’t Seek Success – Be Happi Model.

Given his circumstances, Jhaqueil could have easily fallen into anger and bitterness. Instead, he chose to act positively regardless of the horrible situation he was dealt at such a young age.

Let also not forget, Jhaqueil Reagan’s Enthusiasm. He says, “My heart’s just racing right now. I’m just too excited, just excited to start.”

Jhaqueil Reagan will no doubt be very successful in life. Perhaps someday he will even buy Art Bouvier’s restaurant. One thing is certain, add a little belief, passion, purpose and imagination to Jhaqueil’s heart, attitude, and enthusiasm and the sky is the limit.

As for Art Bouvier, he used his Heart to make a very good choice in the hiring of Jhaqueil Reagan.

Be Great!

MB