My first official job was a paper route for the Journal Herald in Dayton, Ohio in 1967.

I was 11 years old.

(Here I am 53 years later writing for a newspaper!)

But my first job as an employee came after moving to West Columbia in 1971.

Raymond Delaney, the owner of Best Mattress & Furniture in West Columbia hired me as a 15-year-old.

I was a fellow BC Bearcat with Buddy Delaney, the owner’s son who is the current president of the company.

I learned how to build mattresses, sew ticks around them, and deliver them.

In 1971 the minimum wage was $1.60.

But I will never forget a great capitalist lesson I learned on the job.

One day I figured out a way to repair a broken recliner.

It impressed Mr. Delaney so much that he gave me a nickel raise!

Guess what that nickel taught me?

Personal initiative and hard work can be rewarding!

But it really wasn’t the extra nickel-anhour that made any difference to me.

It was the appreciation and personal encouragement from my boss that lifted my spirit.

My morale, self-esteem, enthusiasm, and love for my job and my employer shot through the roof.

It is amazing how we can affect the lives of others in powerful ways with just a little encouragement.

You may never know the huge difference you can make in the life of another.

Teenagers especially struggle with self-worth, self-confidence and purpose in life.

As a senior adult, please be reminded that young people need affirmation from those of us with high mileage.

What about you?

Can you think of a few good lessons you learned when you entered the workforce?

Every day is an opportunity to bless someone else with kindness or a compliment.

I believe millions of good Americans truly want to brighten the corner where they are.

And there are a lot of them right here in Lexington!

Go and spread love.

Next: My kind of clubbing

Dan Williams is the senior adult pastor at Lexington Baptist Church.