A Lesson From Papa: Why We Lift Each Other Up When I sat down with my therapist, Jennifer, she gave me a simple assignment or at least, it sounded simple. She told me to name three things I like about myself. She even took writing off the table, since that one was a given. But that left me staring at the wall for a bit, wondering what I could honestly say. Eventually, I realized that what I like about myself isn’t something I built alone. It’s something that runs deeper something Papa planted in me long before I knew to call it a strength. Papa always told me, “You shouldn’t have to pick yourself up by your bootstraps when your neighbor’s standing right there beside you.” He’d say, “All it takes is for one person to reach down, help lift you up, and then you do the same for the next person. Before long, the whole world’s standing on even ground.” That stayed with me. I’ve always believed people should be seen for their compassion, not their wealth. I ...

When Customers Become Friends 🧡 Working at O’Reilly’s, I meet a lot of people every day. Most come in just looking for a part, an answer, or a little bit of guidance. But every so often, something bigger happens—someone walks in as a customer and, over time, becomes a friend. Those are the moments that remind me that connection can show up in the most ordinary places. As an autistic person, building friendships isn’t always easy for me. Social rules can feel confusing, and I don’t always know the “right” way to connect. But when kindness is genuine, it cuts through all the awkwardness. Some of my favorite friendships started at the parts counter—over shared laughs, stories about old cars, or even just a small conversation about life outside of repairs. Friendship doesn’t have to be complicated. It can start with a smile, a simple “How are you really doing today?” or remembering someone’s name. Those little things add up. Over time, customers who were once strangers have become...