A Song, Not a Discount: A Reminder of America’s Strength
Yesterday, before heading into the office, I needed an oil change. In Palo Alto, California, there’s a small local service shop called 9 Minute Oil, owned by Sam, an immigrant from South Korea. This place has been a fixture for years!
Sam greeted me warmly, and we discussed the service. Then, he surprised me with a unique offer: “Would you like a discount or a song?” I paused for a moment, then requested a song, but only if he sang it in his native Korean.
My response surprised him. Most customers take the discount, and nobody had ever asked for a Korean song. Sam laughed and explained the song’s theme: true love and sadness. Then, the music began! The other workers, representing the rich tapestry of Silicon Valley’s cultures and ethnicities, smiled and continued working as the owner serenaded me. It felt like a charming small-town experience, right there in the heart of innovation.
Through his shop’s culture, customer service, and meticulous attention to detail, Sam is imparting valuable life skills to the young people who work there. These skills will make them better and more confident individuals, much like a great athletic coach who uses the sport to teach lifelong lessons. Sam, at 9 Minute Oil, is no different.
Looking at the current state of American politics, I can’t help but feel a sense of melancholy and growing anxiety. As we emerge from the pandemic years and head into another contentious presidential election, political entrenchment has deepened divisions in ways rarely seen in our 248-year history. These divisions echo President Abraham Lincoln’s famous words from his 1858 Republican National Convention speech: “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
But in the midst of this division, I find optimism and solace in the “Sam’s” of our country. These men and women are the bedrock of America’s strength and resilience. They are the ones who lend a helping hand to their neighbors, treat each other with decency and respect and are generous with their time and goodness. They are genuinely good people who work hard, raise their families, and try to give back whenever possible. This spirit is the true promise of America, and it’s from within these ranks that we will eventually bridge the divide we have today.
Find common ground with someone who holds a different viewpoint. Celebrate your shared community and humanity. Assume they have good intentions, even if you disagree. Follow Sam’s lead and try to spread the happiness and blessings we’ve all been given. This is how we unite, heal, and become a stronger, more loving nation.
Stephen
