The Value in Who We Meet

Lobsters weren’t always considered a delicacy. During the American colonial period, they were primarily consumed by the poor, prisoners, and indentured servants. In fact, lobster shells were often hidden to avoid the appearance of poverty. In Massachusetts, indentured servants even sued to limit their lobster meals to no more than three times a week. For Native tribes near the coast, lobsters were more valuable as fertilizer or bait than as food. These bottom feeders were abundant and easy to catch, making them a staple for those with limited options.

By the late 19th century, as railroads spread and lobster was served on trains, people who had never tasted it before discovered its succulence. Today, we all know it as one of the most expensive delicacies worldwide. The value of lobster itself didn’t change; it was people’s perspective on its worth that transformed.

Just as perspectives on lobsters changed, our views of the people we encounter can change. Every person we meet in our daily interactions is either a lesson or a blessing. Whether good, bad, or indifferent, each one has something to offer. In order to understand what is offered, we need to train our brains to recognize three key concepts through observation:

Equal Value: Kim Giles teaches that we each have inherent value and that value cannot change based on circumstances.

The Learner's Mindset: Ronald Rasband emphasizes the importance of mindset. Train your mind and heart to recognize that you can be taught by anyone and that you can learn something from everyone you meet.

Self-Change: The secret to changing the attitudes of others lies in first changing your own.

When we approach interactions with humility and a willingness to learn, we can find value in every experience, whether it's pleasant or challenging.

You can only change yourself. Get adventurous — try the lobster. You might be surprised at the value you bring to others and how much you receive in return. Focus on your personal growth, take risks in your journey, and you may find the rewards are far greater than you ever imagined.

Once again, everyone we meet is either a lesson or a blessing, and both are invaluable to our personal growth. Maybe there’s a quality in someone that you admire and want to adopt as a habit. Or perhaps it’s something you dislike — something you notice in others that you also recognize in yourself and wish to change. I know I have plenty of these to work on. But isn’t that the point? You working on you, and me working on me.