While organizing art supplies, I found the following quote by an unknown author. The letters were rough as though typed on an old typewriter, and the business card-size paper was yellow and aged.

The creative message entertained and challenged me years ago, and it still does today. I hope you too enjoy it: “This is a story about four people: Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done, and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.”

The four characters remind me of politicians, families, schools, etc. Unfortunately, it reminds me of me.

I’m unsure if I’m Anybody, Somebody, or Nobody, but I’m likely a combination of them as you likely are. Whatever we are, the responsibility for our choices is ours.

What do you think?

Being responsible and helping get the job done, whatever it might be, contributes to one’s mental health. People who lie in the lounger by choice and expect to be served by Somebody, Anybody, and Everybody cannot feel great about themselves.

Get up and do something, even if Nobody notices. Everybody can do good for Somebody, even if it is only listening. Everybody has talents, and Anybody can appreciate what Somebody does, and Nobody can ignore the needs of Everybody.

Everybody who is Anybody, knows Somebody who feels like a Nobody. Find Anybody with challenges in life (that includes Everybody) and be the Somebody they need. Everybody wins when Anybody asks if Somebody needs help, even when Nobody else offers. Everybody needs Somebody, and Anybody can feel like a Nobody.

We also need to see this story in reverse—being a martyr is not the goal. If you are Somebody who Everybody expects you to do it all for Anybody, you run the risk of feeling like Nobody. It makes me think of Maya Angelou’s wise words, “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”

It’s all about balance.

As we live among our families, in our community, and around strangers, don’t be “Somebody who blames Everybody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.”

Be Somebody who teaches Anybody that Everybody can do part of an important job even when Nobody wants to be involved.

Until the next time: Live while you live.

This edited article was first published 1-20-16.

Jennifer Goble, Ph.D., LPC, is the author of “My Clients…My Teachers,” and the blogger and writer of Rural Women Stories: www.ruralwomenstories.com.

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