In 1899 Elbert Hubbard, a successful soap salesman wrote an inspirational pamphlet titled, "A Message to Garcia."  It was one of my grandfather's favorite stories.  This is not a literal translation - but one that my grandfather copied for me, based on Mr. Hubbard's original.  I've kept my copy, folded and yellow in my big red binder... the one I pull onto my lap for inspiration on days like today.

"When war broke out between Spain and the United States, it was very necessary to communicate quickly with the leader of the insurgents.  Garcia, the leader, was somewhere in the mountain vastness of Cuba - no one knew for certain where.  No mail or telegraph could reach him [obviously well before cell phones].  The President needed to quickly secure his cooperation - but how to do it?

Someone close to the President said, "there is only one man, by the name of Rowan, who can find Garcia for you."

Rowan was sent for and given a letter to be delivered to Garcia.  He sealed it up in an oil-skinned pouch, strapped it over his heart, landed off the coast of Cuba at night... disappeared into the jungle and in three weeks came out on the other side of the island, having gone across the island on foot and having delivered the letter to Garcia.

The point of the story is this:  President McKinley gave Rowan a letter to be delivered to Garcia; Rowan took the letter and did not ask, "Where is he?"  It is the best in each of us that will cause action that is loyal to a trust, to act promptly, concentrate all of our energies... just do the thing - "carry a message to Garcia!"

It is the incapacity for independent action - the need by many of us to question:

• Where does it need to go?
• Why do you need it?
• Can't you look it up yourself?
• Is this really my job?
• Is there someone else who should be doing this?

This moral stupidity, this infirmity of the will, this unwillingness to cheerfully catch hold and lift, this puts success out of reach for most of us.  If men will not act for themselves, what will they do when the benefit of their effort is for all?

Advertise for a stenographer, and nine times out of ten those who apply can neither spell nor punctuate - and do not think it is necessary to .

Can such a person write a letter to Garcia?

"You see that bookkepper," said the foreman to me in a large factory.

"Yes, what about him?"

"Well, he's a fine accountant, but if I'd send him to town on an errand, he might accomplish the errand all right, and, on the other hand, might stop at four saloons on the way, and when he got to Main street, would forget what he had been sent for."

Can such a man be entrusted to carry a message to Garcia?

Much is said about the "down-trodden" and "homeless wanderer" that are just searching for "honest employment."  But what of the employer who grows old before his time in a vain attempt to get frowsy ne'er-do-wells to do intelligent work?  In every store and factory there is a constant weeding out process going on.  No matter how good times are, this sorting continues, only if times are hard and work is scarce, this sorting is done finer - but out and forever out, the incompetent and unworthy go.  It is the survival of the fittest, self-interest prompts every employer [and customer] to see out the best - those who will get it done, and who can carry a message to Garcia.

Have I put the matter too strongly?  Possibly I have - but when all the world is "sad mouthing" I wish to speak a word of sympathy for the man who succeeds - the man who, against great odds, has directed the efforts of others, and, having succeeded, finds there's nothing in it for him except the knowledge of a job well done.

My heart goes out to the man who does his work when he doesn't have to.  My heart goes out to the man who does his job when his boss is away and no one is looking.  And the man who, when given a letter for Garcia, quietly takes the missive, without asking any idiotic questions, and with no lurking intention of chucking it into the nearest sewer, or of doing aught else but deliver it.

Anything such a man asks will be granted; his kind is so rare.  His is wanted in every city, town, and village - in every office, store and factory.  The world cries out for such; he is needed and needed badly - the man who can carry a message to Garcia.

My dear Eleanor - this is my lesson for you... we each possess the ability to carry a message to Garcia.  We must decide if we will use that ability to be the person we can be."

A 100 year old letter - recopied for me with love, still rings true, and timely.  In this market of "woe is me" I still have the power of choice.  I can be that "rare" person who can carry a message to Garcia!

yep... just call me Rowan... how about you?