Let me give you something that I think is absolutely amazing. It's about an 11-year-old boy named Jude Kofi. He lives in Colorado with his parents from Ghana and his three other siblings. Jude is autistic with a very special talent. One day, Jude's father heard beautiful piano music coming from his old keyboard. He was astounded to find Jude masterfully playing the piano—without having any lessons.
When the local news picked up his story, a man—a complete stranger—wanted to invest in Jude's talent. If you've wondered where all the good people have gone, listen to this.
Courtesy of CBS Evening News
One of my favorite bands is Poor Man's Poison. They're from the farmlands of California. The lyrics of their song "Good People" asks the question, "If you could help or walk away, if that choice was up to you, what would you do? What if it were you? Where did all the good people go?"
We keep asking ourselves—at least I do—where are they? Where did all the good people go? It turns out, they're everywhere. We don't see them, because they don't generally make the news. But the good people are around us. That's you. That's me—the people who are looking for a second chance at life, who have the ability to do something.
The stranger who helped Jude Kofi spurs us on to pursue goodness. That guy was a tuner of pianos. His father had just died. He inherited money. He saw Jude's story on the local news and he thought, "This kid has got to have lessons and a piano." So he takes his inheritance from his father, buys the piano, promises to tune it every month for the rest of his life, and helps Jude get piano lessons.
I just want to bring you the news today that the good people are here. We're surrounded by them. The problem is, there's not enough examples that we see on a daily basis, but we should start looking for them. We should start sharing those stories, and we should start recognizing that we have been given the opportunity to help those around us—whatever it is. I wouldn't have thought to give this kid a piano. I'm not a piano tuner. But he did because that's his gift.
You are the good people. Where have you gone? Nowhere. Just a quick reminder to wake up and see the ways you can help all around you.
