Week 17 – An Everyday Hero, Bill Porter

” We of the twentieth century worship a God of Love in theory, but in practice we make for ourselves ‘graven images’ of wealth, power, fashion, custom, and conventionality. We fall down before them and worship them.  We concentrate on them and they are externalized in our lives.  The student who masters the contents of Part Seventeen will not mistake the symbols for the reality; he will be interested in the causes, rather than effects.  He will concentrate on the realities of life, and will then not be disappointed in the result.”  Charles Haanel

As a part of our Master Key System experience weeks ago Mark J and the Fabulous Davene assigned us to watch four movies–  OCTOBER SKY; COOL RUNNINGS, RUDY; and, DOOR TO DOOR SALESMAN.    As we watched each movie we were encouraged to identify four tiny habits.    They are:  1.)  A definite purpose backed by a burning desire for it’s fulfillment.   2. ) A definite plan, expressed in continuous action.  3. ) A mind closed tightly against all negative and discouraging influences, including negative suggestions of relatives, friends and acquaintances.  4.) Friendly {Mastermind}, alliance with one or more persons who will encourage one to follow through with both plan and purpose.  Within a week we as a family watched the first three movies, but  DOOR TO DOOR was delayed and we only received yesterday (1/22).

As I was reading and re-reading part seventeen of THE MASTER KEY SYSTEM this week, I often reflected back to Dr. Martin Luther King’s words as I posted in week 16. !I was looking for an everyday hero,  even did some research on line.  But lo behold, my son and I watched DOOR TO DOOR this evening as the rest of the family was out.  The Law of Growth was working!  The Law of Growth is defined as:  Whatever we think about grows;  What we forget atrophies.    In addition, the Law of Subconscious was working as well!!  

YIPEE!

The Law of Subconscious can be defined “As soon as the subconscious accepts the idea it becomes a demand and it works constantly, 24-7, to manifest demand – accessing a reservoir of infinite resources.”

 Bill Porter was my topic for week 17!   His life reflected the everyday hero I was searching for.

Bill Porter was a door-to-door salesman for the Watkins Company for over 45 years.   In fact, he was the top selling salesman and won many awards for sales ability.   He was a man born with cerebral palsy who experienced difficulty walking and talking.  The state considered him unemployable, but Porter was fiercely independent and refused to accept disability from the State.  Porter wasn’t rich nor was he  a celebrity, he didn’t have any special powers.  He lived in anonymity until 1995 when an Oregon Reporter published a story about Bill Porter’s life.   As a result of the outpouring from the story,  ABC caught wind of Porter and featured him on 20/20.    The movie paints a picture of Porter’s life- the everyday hero, the door to door salesman  who conquered obstacles in spite of his handicap.

When the credits were finally finished, my son and I sat  silently  in the family room.    You see my son was diagnosed with Schizoaffective disorder in 2005, at the time he was 19.  My son knows all too well the obstacles, challenges and negatively that Bill Porter experienced, because, he too, has faced the same.    My son, however, does not give up, or give in.  Bill Porter is an  everyday hero, who had the blessing and good fortune to see his life portrayed in a movie.  My  son Allen is my unsung hero.  He is the reason why I do what I do every day.

I am going close with the final paragraph from my press release-

At last we return to the dream planted in my heart long ago. God asked me to beacon of light and love in our son’s lifelong dark tunnel.  In good times and bad I have always returned to this one moment in my mind’s eye.  On the journey I have come to learn that the trappings of the world really don’t measure success.  What I have learned is that we are all created on purpose with a purpose:  to become who you were designed to be and have a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ.  Touching the heart of one has always been my primary mission.  The rest is simply an outgrowth of God’s Love and Mercy, The Infinite Spirit, The Universal Mind that exists within.  Praise be to our Lord and King!

This past Monday evening my husband, Al, who is in back row with a black and white shirt, and I went to the apartment of some of our residents.  We’re building community with a pizza night.  Actually this event connects to my definite main purpose statement and press release.  What are we doing?  Touching the heart of one.  The rest? Is simply an outpouring of God’s Love.    Standing from left to right is Carrie, Chris, Al and my son, Allen.  Kneeling on left is Brian and Charles on the right.  The individuals in this picture are unsung heroes like my son.  They are the “Bill Porter’s” within our life, who are conquering challenges each and every day.

 Until next week, as Joel Osteen would say; ” [Keep] discover[ing] the Champion within you.!”

Kris

P.S.  Almost forgot to share this,  Bill Porter recently died at the age of 81 years on December 3, 2013