The Humble Moviegoer

Legendary Miami Dolphins football coach Don Shula told a story of a vacation he, his wife, and their three children took during the Dolphins’ heyday of championship football. They trekked to a small, New England town in Maine during the short off season. On one rainy afternoon they travelled from the cabin into the nearby city to take in a movie. Even though they were a little late for the posted show time, the house lights were still up. They saw only a smattering of people throughout the large auditorium. As they walked down the aisle those already seated turned, looked, then stood up and cheered. Shula said to his wife, “I guess they get the Dolphins games up here too.” One of those closest to where the Shulas had selected seats ran over to them and thrust his hand out to the coach. Shula greeted him warmly and asked how they knew who they were. “I’m sorry sir. I don’t know you at all. The manager came in some minutes ago and said unless four more people show up, he wouldn’t run the movie.”

We see ourselves in a different light than others. Others see us differently than we imagine. And often our imaginations are greater than how even we see ourselves. It is humbling when we are shown what others really think about when they see us.

Those exasperated movie goers just wanted to see four more people walk into the theater. When a group of five walked in, satisfying the manager’s demands in one fell swoop, they were overcome with excitement at the prospect of getting to see the movie – and perhaps also of not having to go back out into the rain. To them it was a gift from above. To the Shula family, particularly Coach Don, it was a humbling experience. Perhaps a learning experience. Certainly, a growth experience.

You see, there is something else about this story that speaks to Mr. Shula’s mind. He told this story. He was not embarrassed by being mistaken for just anybody with three other people in tow. He was not angered by not being recognized as a Super Bowl winning coach. He was happy to be of service to his fellow moviegoers and looked forward to seeing the movie, and to using this experience as a tool for tamping down his personal pride.

In a previous post we described humility as a means of improvement through learning and growth, and the humble person as one who “appreciates and benefits from humility by understanding the importance of exploring differing perceptions, recognizing differences in opinions, and practice, and respecting others.”

As an example of humility, one would be hard pressed to find a more appropriate feeling than what Mr. Shula experienced when he discovered his accomplishments and his achievements meant nothing to those waiting in the theater. But as an example of personal pride, it would be equally difficult to find a better feeling than knowing that just by their presence, the Shulas were making a difference in so many people’s lives for the next two hours.

It is not always the famous, the most recognized, or the best known person who contributes to the most, the best, or the greatest benefit to others. It is the one who brings enthusiasm, passion, and joy who people will remember. From the perspective of those moviegoers, they may never remember the rainy Saturday afternoon when they had a chance to see a movie with the great Don Shula. But they may always remember the Saturday afternoon when they might not have gotten get to see a movie but then a man and his family came in just in the nick of time.

Are you more than just the extra person needed to allow the show to go on? Or by your presence, do you bring the show to the people?