The Millionaire Homeless Guy
26 June, 2008 - Motivation - 39 Comments
Photo by Jim Fischer
“This is one of the best written pieces of philosophy and inspiration I’ve read in quite a while.” - Paul Hirsch, talking about ‘The Millionaire Homeless Guy’
“Over the years I have read many blog entries, but none of them were as inspirational as The Millionaire Homeless Guy. We all could learn a lot from this.” - Andy Patmore, talking about ‘The Millionaire Homeless Guy’
We all have our image of the homeless. Bums. Lazy. Dirty. Smelly.
But not if you’re John of the Headrow.
John is homeless. He stands on the corner of The Headrow and Park Row in Leeds. He makes his money from selling the Big Issue magazine - Just like most homeless people in the UK. But John is different. Different than other homeless people. And different from homed people. He’s different, because John is the only person I see each day who asks me how I’m doing.
Too Busy to Stop
I wake up at 6:30am. I jump on the bike for a 20 minute, hilly sprint around the fields and farms where I live. I catch the bus in to the centre of town. The bus driver doesn’t say a word. I run in to the store to buy a bottle of water. The clerk still hasn’t had his coffee. I buy my train ticket for my commute. Stupidly, I buy from the automated machine rather than the two ticket sellers. I show my train ticket to the conductor. His vocabulary starts and ends with “Tickets please!”. I get off the train, walk out the station and up Park Row. And there’s John.
“Big Issue for sale. Hope you’re all alright today! How are ya?!”
As I walk towards him, John asks me how I am this morning. I reply, give him a smile, and tell him to have a g’day. I don’t know John. He doesn’t know me. I’m just one of the thousands who pass him each day. One of the thousands who he speaks to and asks how they’re doing.
Of all the people I meet on my morning commute, John is the only person who is happy, smiling, and warm enough to ask me how I am. Yet he’s homeless.
John is the loudest person on the street. Rather than avoiding him like most do with the homeless, John draws people towards him. He’s always smiling. He’s always happy. He’s always loud. He’s always looking out for others… even if they don’t buy one of his magazines. He’s the best marketing expert, self-help guru and motivator that the City of Leeds has to offer. Yet he’s homeless.
I don’t believe being a millionaire has to mean you have the capability to write a one million pound cheque. John is far more wealthy than most of us, despite his lack of money, because he is enjoying life. Despite all the negative in his life - the cold nights. The sleeping outside. The rain. The lack of a roof over his head. Despite all this, he enjoys life and makes the most of what he has. He finds the positives, rather than the negatives. His glass is half full, not half empty.
Of the six people I see each morning, five always look sad, tired, lonely and bored. Only one looks as though he is enjoying life, is fresh, happy, approachable and caring. And that’s John. The homeless guy with no money.
There’s financial millionaires. Then there’s real millionaires. Which do you aspire to be?
Is your glass half full or half empty? Do you ask others how they are? Next time you’re out, ask everybody you meet how their day has been. It’ll make a huge difference to their day. And yours.
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Posted on 26 June, 2008 by Jamie Harrop
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Jamie, how has your day been?
It’s not that often you see a homeless person who can serve as a role model, and John definitely qualifies.
Hunter Nuttall’s last blog post..Free Ebook: Memoirs Of A Gaijin
Hey Hunter,
My day has been just fantastic, thank you.
How about you? I downloaded your ebook this morning, so I’m looking forward to reading that.
One wonders why he’s still sleeping outside if he’s learned the secret of success, which is making friends and working with people. Maybe he just enjoys being out in the weather.
Michael Henreckson’s last blog post..Use Jott to Turn Your Phone Into an RSS Reader
Hey Michael,
Hope you’re doing well!
Ever since I first saw the guy I’ve wanted to drag him in to the Starbucks across the street and hear his story. One of the questions I would ask him is why he’s still out on the streets.
I really don’t know. Your question is one I’ve thought about several times when passing him.
You should do it and write a follow up post!
Great post btw.
Thanks David!
Hope you’re well, by the way.
I’ll have a chat with him next time I see him. Maybe something will come of it.
Nice post…It’s really motivating and full of meaning. Many peoples live in better condition than John but they are not grateful to what they have, including me…Thanks for sharing it with me. Reminding me to keep happy and grateful no matter how hard the life is.
Thanks for the lovely comment, Susan.
You’re so right. Many of us take for granted a roof over our head and food on our table. John reminds us to keep smiling, because we ultimately have it better than most.
Excellent post. It’s amazing what having a good attitude can do for a person homeless or not.
B. Durant’s last blog post..Heller vs. DC 2nd Amendment upheld
Hey Brook,
Thanks for stopping by and writing a comment.
We can all decide for ourselves whether we’re going to be in a good or bad mood today. Having a good attitude is so important in taking the right road each day.
Thanks Brook! I hope to see more comments from you in future.
[...] comment comes from regular reader, Susan of Mix Musique. Susan summed up what John the homeless guy can teach us… “Nice post…It’s really motivating and full of meaning. Many peoples [...]
Hey Jamie,
I said it to you privately right when you made this post, but I’ll say it again publicly. This is one of the best written pieces of philosophy and inspiration I’ve read in quite a while.
I just wanted to comment publicly, since you were kind enough to share your insights publicly in the first place
Thanks Paul.
I would hesitate to romanticize the guy too much before seeing all of his life, and in far greater detail. Perhaps he is only “happy” because he refuses to accept the reality of his situation. Perhaps he lacks the mental or emotional capacity. Perhaps he has a terrible mental illness lurking below the surface that makes his inner life a horror unless he just shuts it all out. Personally, I wouldn’t want any of that in trade for an outgoing, apparently friendly disposition and the appearance of contentment. True contentment is far more complex than that, and most chronically homeless have some hidden horror none of us would want to own. The depressed and downcast ones you can at least be sure are honest about their situation.
Of course, this fellow may be for real too. Perhaps he legitimately chose for himself and enjoys this lifestyle and wouldn’t trade it for anything; the point is, you can’t be sure of that from such a tiny snapshot of his life.
Hi Dave,
You’re absolutely right, but we could also say that of any person who happens to be happy. Being emotionally challenged isn’t just something the homeless suffer from.
Personally, I like to think the best of people and like to think of the positives. So I’ll happily give John the benefit of the doubt he deserves. Interestingly, I think the complete opposite to you. I don’t think we can start to wonder whether he has an emotional issue of some sort from just a short encounter, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt in this instance.
Thanks for the comment!
Hey Everyone!
How has you day been?
That is a really inspiring story, thank you for sharing it.
Rajaie AlKorani’s last blog post..5 Points To Consider Before Sending An Email
Hey Rajaie,
My day has been fantastic, thank you.
How about you?
Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Excellent article! And it struck home with me. I recently started a new business, and I don’t mind saying that things are tight. Really tight. Yet people tell me “You’re always so happy!” Sometimes I don’t feel like slapping a smile on my face, but I do it anyway. Now I’m glad, because maybe it does make a difference in someone’s day!
naughtydogcafe’s last blog post..Greatest American Dog
Hey Amy,
Thanks for the kind words.
A smile and kind words from somebody I meet certainly make a difference to me, even if I or others don’t immediately show it.
Keep at it, and keep happy. It’ll be what makes you and your business. The happy business.
That’s certainly a fun niche market you’ve found for yourself. I really hope it works out for you.
Thanks for stopping by. Hopefully I’ll see more comments from you in the future.
Today I read this blog ‘Indian Beggar Saves 200 Pounds of Coins, Opens Bank Account’
oMan
Hey oMan,
Thanks for the comment.
Yep, I read that story too. It’s quite incredible, I thought. For anybody who hasn’t seen it, here is the story on the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7495478.stm
Hi Jamie,
How are you? This post made me smile as it reminded me off all the miserable faces I see when I venture out of my “pod” every now and then.
I admire this John guys for being happy with what he has been given. This truly shows a wise person, whether he is a little demented or not. I think he just knows that living in happiness is what we are supposed to do rather than being miserable about things we can’t change anyway.
You know, this post actually evokes the Samaritan within me wanting to send you money to invite him to the coffee shop. All the way from Australia.
With you blogging about this guy and him not even knowing he touches so many lives through your blog and others who pick this up he spreads a lot of good all around the world.
Monika Mundell’s last blog post..Freelance Writing Behind The Scenes
Hey Monika,
I’m very well thank you. Thanks in no part to the 2,000 visitors who have come to this post in the past 36 hours. StumbleUpon is my best friend right now.
How about you? Doing good?
You’re so right about him touching many people through this post. I realised last night (via a revelation on Twitter) that I had a homeless man to thank for inspiring my most popular ever blog post. Strange and interesting thoughts, for sure.
Unfortunately, as much as I would now love to buy him a coffee and find out more about him, I’m no longer commuting to Leeds due to my resignation. It’s a shame, but I probably won’t get to experience his smile and kindness for a long time.
Thanks for the excellent comment. Hopefully we’ll see more from you in the future.
Very inspirational. I have posted a link to this on my site.
I hope that everyone has a really great day, both today and every day!
Floyd
Hey Floyd,
Thanks for the kind comments, and also for the link love. I truly appreciate it.
Take care, and have a fantastic day!
I guess homeless also means mortgage-less, stress-less and burden free.
Anyone who has more than he needs at that moment could be described as “rich”.
Thanks for the thought provoking post.
Hey John,
You’re so right. I never thought about the things he didn’t have that may make him happy.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for the excellent comment.
After reading this article I feel sorry for the people of the area in which the author speaks of. I live in, what I consider, a very average city surrounded by more of the same. It’s not unusual to be greeted with a smile by anyone. It’s common place to exchange friendly words with the people you meet. The few “rotten apples” don’t spoil the bushel at all.
Hey Ted,
Thanks for the comment.
I’m curious to know where you live. I noticed when I was in America that more people asked me how I was, although I wouldn’t say most were really interested in how I was. It just seemed to be the average way of saying “Hi” over there.
Here in the UK, it’s rare I here a complete stranger ask somebody how they are.
I can’t help but wonder… how many times have you asked him how he is doing? If you haven’t, tomorrow is your opportunity. Maybe you will make him feel just as special as he makes you feel.
Great post!
Hey Chris,
Thanks for stopping by and writing the comment.
I ask him how he is each time I see him. It’s only right I try to bring something in to his day, like he does to me.
Hi Jamie, good point about the over use of “How are you doing?” in America. It’s almost lost it’s real meaning and become synonymous with “Hello”. Every once in a while I reply with “Pretty bad” just to keep it real. I get a weird look as if they didn’t realize they just asked me a question instead of saying a greeting. The expected responce is “Good. How are you?”
Is so important to have a positive attitude … This article remember me that and I think is the first blog post read it entirely in this week !
Best Regards
Sacx from DoFollow Directorys last blog post..The Ramblings of Some Audio Guy
Hey Sacx,
Thanks for the comment.
I’m glad you enjoyed the article.
You’re right. A positive attitude really is very important.
This is an incredible story and so inspirational.
I am homeless myself, currently in temporary accommodation. I am a blogger too and am trying to share my experiences in an attempt to educate the world and shed the stereotype associated with homelessness.
I can testify as to just how tough it is to maintain a positive, let alone cheerful aspect to life under these circumstances. John must have amazing character.
Thank you for sharing this.
Matt Barness last blog post..Dawn’s Early Light
Hey Matt,
Wow. When I wrote this post I never expected somebody who is actually homeless to come by and write. Thank you so much.
I hope you are able to find a home soon. I’ll be reading your blog with interest.
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