Diamonds in the rough

Diamonds in the rough

“You (only) get what you give ...” –?Gregg Alexander

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Oh yes, there are still plenty many of diamonds in the rough out there.

{Pictured above is former USDA/FSIS inspector, the late Mr. Ruben Medina, doing what he did best - planting mustard seeds - highlighted in the National Provisioner Magazine circa 2003. (if u so choose, you can read the story by enlarging your picture above)}

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Diamonds?

Yes, diamonds (a huge over-flowing melting pot of them) that are disguised as people that I’ve had the sheer privilege of meeting, working with and learning from - and I’m a better person today because of them – every single one of them.

Several years ago,?I scribbled a blog on Tony.?I didn’t include his last name or the company he worked for in order to protect and respect his privacy and that of his company. I shared Tony’s inspirational story from rising as a minimum waged laborer to a six-figure salary (while being today a VP of quality assurance) hoping to encourage other employers to look for diamonds in the rough in their own backyards.

You know - - - that person who possess that innate burning and insatiable desire to learn and improve themselves, and in doing so, becoming a more valuable employee (and person) while simultaneously encouraging and inspiring others to doing the same.

There are tons and tons of diamonds in the rough out there — regardless of age, gender, race, religion, or educational levels — still waiting for their chance to be discovered, that’ll allow them to shine, grow and glow in ways that even they themselves never ever imagined.

I’ve seen it happen time and again - - - since the last century!

These diamonds may be camouflaged in your maintenance, sanitation, production or shipping/receiving department.

But rest assure, you have some.

Character is certainly an important ingredient and attitude -?well a positive attitude is?everything?just as a single dollop of positive encouragement can skyrocket the most ordinary person to seemingly unachievable heights.

One lesson (among many) that I learned eons ago when I was directly involved in human resources (or as we used to say, “resources of humans”) was when offering positive encouragement towards someone, it nearly always made that person increase her/his own self worth. That self worth brought on a higher self-esteem. That elevated self-esteem couldn’t help but amplify individual confidence that then manifested itself into improved productivity and increased longevity with the company.?

Have you ever mined for diamonds in your own backyard?

And if you have, and helped nurture them ... wasn’t that one of the most rewarding accomplishments of your career?!!!

NOTE: This blog is for my Gran Amigo, People Miner & Teacher - by his sheer actions - not just by his softly spoken words - Mr. Ruben Medina (1935-2022) - highly loved, liked and respected by plenty many in Southern California - 30 years as an USDA/FSIS Inspector turn food safety consultant - RIP.

Mr. Medina paved the way for my family and me as I rode his respected coat-tails into USDA plants as a greenhorn/neophyte OHSA consultant and later on as a food safety consultant turned GFSI / PACCO auditor.

How does 1 thank 1 for all of that?

By simply giving back to others - just like Mr. Medina taught me - that's exactly how.

Goodness gracious ... I am gracious this day.

9/2/2016 Meatingplace.com (Revised 2/22/22)

Scheduled for 1/26/22 Saturday Read - An in-depth look at Harvesting Bison (not Buffalo!!!).

Sales of Bison IS on the increase. Try it, I love Bison burgers with a Dr. Pepper on theee rocks of course ... .

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Scheduled for 1/27/22 Sunday Read - An interesting in-depth look at Harvesting Alligators - The FDA way.

(Ever try gator jerky? mmmmm. Tasty.)