The Backstory of Life
A Backstory, is typically comprised of the key events that have occurred in everyone’s life. A Backstory could be positive or negative events. A Backstory could drive us to great heights, or the depths of depression. At it’s core, a Backstory is a gift! At times we may not think so, but once reflected on ,we can see how our Backstory often is a homage to various people and events that have shaped our lives. There is the old adage of “don’t live in the past” I believe remembering the past and seeing how it can shape our future is one key to success and fulfillment.
There are dozens and dozens of Backstories in everyone’s life. The Webster definition of a Backstory, is a story that tells what led-up to the main story or plot(as in a film).In this context ,a Backstory is the events that we were exposed to in our formative years. That would be birth, to our early twenties . The main story, usually “kicks in”, when we are in our 20’s. During this time, we are involved in many defining moments. Such events as possibly finishing college, starting a career, getting married and child rearing. Many times, people get so caught-up in these important matters, that we can forget our Backstory. For some the Backstory becomes just that! Something from our past, never to be revisited. For the lucky one’s, the Backstory is remembered and has the strength to drive us into the future.
Much of my Backstory that I now regularly revisit, are the memories I have of my two grandfathers. These two were wildly different, in stature, personality, upbringing and background. My maternal grandfather, Albert Knight was short and slight of build. He had a dry sense of humor and loved a good joke. He loved betting on the horses and Notre Dame football, mostly without my grandmothers knowledge. My grandfather immigrated from England in his 20” and after a series of manual labor jobs, scrapped-up enough money to buy a floral shop, in Whittier, California. His shop was a fixture in the thriving downtown business district. My grandfather was known for his work ethic. Six days a week, he would rise at 3 am to drive to downtown Los Angeles and buy fresh flowers for his shop. My grandfathers legacy was that he was know around the city of Whittier, as a benevolent businessman and friend to all. He owned this shop until passing away, at the young age of 66.
My paternal grandfather, Ralph Zinn, was the polar opposite of Albert Knight!. He was tall, raw boned and had the skills to fix just about anything. He was mostly quiet and humorless, but when he did talk, you generally listened. His words of wisdom revolved around having a good work ethic and the need for a strong character. My grandfather was raised on a farm in Kansas and landed also in Whittier in his 20’s as well. He worked for his uncle, who owned a lumber yard in Whittier. Ultimately my grandfather bought that lumber yard from his uncle and later owned a plumbing shop and had numerous real estate holdings, until his death at age 75.
Carmine Gallo, famed author of the Storytellers Secret, wrote “the gift of your past matters most when creating a vision or a culture to take you into the future” So what did my Backstory teach me? What was I able to learn from the memories and stories of my grandfathers? More importantly, what do I continue to learn from both of these important people in my life. Listed below is a short list of “life lessons” learned from my grandfathers:
Hard work, is one the few variables we all can control
Seemingly ordinary people, can do extraordinary things
Be a person of integrity
It is never too late to learn new skills
Lead by example
Be compassionate and treat all people fairly
Entrepreneurs come from all types of backgrounds. There is no “one size fits all”
My Backstory will always remain a defining part of my life. Looking back, all of the dreams ,goals and aspirations I have had, have been in part initiated by both of my grandfathers. I feel blessed and honored to have such a strong and long lasting Backstory. My grandfathers taught me so much about relationships, business and life!
