Other People Mindsets….

You may have heard about people see the world using either a Growth Mindset or Fixed Mindset. Someone with a growth mindset views intelligence, abilities, and talents as learnable and capable of improvement through effort. On the other hand, someone with a fixed mindset views those same traits as inherently stable and unchangeable over time…… kind of a it is what it is view of things.

I had the occasion this past weekend at our 50th reunion to witness classmates who exhibit another type of mindset which has a more Altruistic view of the world …one that is less about them and more about others.

Altruistic is adjective that describes those who show unselfish concern for the welfare of others …they are selfless and often disregard their own self interests over those of others. Their belief system can be summarized in just a few words….they believe:

Other People Matter.
Period.

Anything that builds relationships between and among people is what makes them happy.”

Here is a some of the long list of classmates that have what I believe to be an: “Other People Mindset”.
Please enjoy their stories as much as I did and share the pride in knowing that these and many more of our classmates are making the world a better place not just through words but actions that touch peoples lives….They make us want to do better.
I am humbled, yet proud of the class of “73”.

Charlie Bell

I spoke with Charlie Bell for quite sometime during our reunion and the longer we spoke the more amazed I became with his life’s journey. After High School he traveled West to California in search of adventure. During that time he fell on hard times…hooking up with various movements like the Jesus Movement in search of life experiences. Charlie spent 8 years in the US Air Force and eventually found his soulmate Marisol who became the rudder to his sail.

Charlie is an up front, plain talking, pulls no punches, New Englander at heart. He admittedly has made his share of both good and bad decisions in life which is probably why I felt such a connection to him as we spoke. Charlie and his wife Marisol have an extremely large family now that is composed of blended, adopted and a special needs child. Aside from managing a huge family by today’s standards Charlie has worked with substance abuse groups and maintains his own sobriety as an example of the benefits of living a life clean and sober. He and Marisol are by any standard people who’s focus is on Helping Others….

Stephen Santos…. Caring for Veterans

Stephen Santos is the Commander for the (DAV) Disabled American Veterans, Department of Maine Chapter 19, CSO. His role is advocating for better federal veterans programs, benefits, health care and transition services for the men and women who served, their families and survivors. Last year, DAV helped veterans and their families file hundreds of thousands of claims—to get the health care, disability, employment, education and financial benefits they earned—and helped every step of the way. One such program of note is….

Operation Ray of Light …. 

This is the first open group to be offered outside of the VA in the southern Maine area in support of spouses of veterans who are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.  This is an open group geared towards support, resources and honoring the role of the spouse and significant other and working to enhance the lives of their families.  By developing connection we believe that for many, this opportunity will become a chance for potential healing, growth and hopefully empowerment.  This group is open to Veterans spouses of all eras…..

Judge Helen Brown Bryant….Bringing Others Along

Although she has traveled a long road starting in the halls of CHLS Hellen is a graduate of MacMurray College (B.S., 1978) and Howard University School of Law (J.D. 1984). Helen’s professional career spans a multitude of roles including working at the Disability Law Center in Boston, private practice in Cambridge, specializing in juvenile and probate law, Staff attorney for the Office of Bar Counsel, Supervising attorney for the Massachusetts Advocacy Center (now the Massachusetts Advocates for Children) just to name a few. Now, Judge Helen Brown Bryant is an associate justice for the Suffolk Juvenile Court in Suffolk County, Massachusetts. 

I could try to summarize our conversation together about being a role mode for the next generation is so important but I think it is best to hear it in her own words….her journey is truly an inspiration….