Do you see something possible in others, even as a stranger?
A stranger (named Leslie) saw something in a 19-year-old coloured girl - Deshauna Baber- soon to be a military officer, and told Deshauna that she would be the next Miss USA…
‘Were you born in this country?’ asked Leslie who saw Deshauna in the supermarket where she worked at that time.
Feeling a bit offended, as a coloured girl, Deshauna put her hands on her hips and said,
“Yeah, I was born in this country”.
Leslie continued, “Hold old you are?”
Deshauna: “I am 19 years old”.
“Are you married?”
Deshauna: “No ma’am”.
“Do you have kids?”
Deshauna said, “No ma’am. Can I help you to find something?"
Leslie continued, “You look like you could be the next Miss USA”.
Deshauna laughed so hard at what Leslie said as it sounded impossible.
However, Leslie convinced Deshauna to meet her at the local Starbucks the very next day. Leslie convinced Deshauna to compete in the stage pageant.
The first pageant, she lost in the competition.
The second year, she lost.
The third year, she lost.
The fourth year, she lost.
The fifth year, she lost.
And guess what, the sixth year, she lost again.
Deshauna called Leslie – the stranger said Deshauna would be the next Miss USA but it did not happen until after 6 years. Leslie told Deshauna not to give up.
Leslie passed away in 2015. Deshauna didn't give up, she wanted to realize Leslie's belief in her.
In Dec 2016, the 7th time Deshauna competed, she won.
Deshauna became the first member of the military to win the Miss USA title. She also represented the US at Miss Universe 2016 in Manila where she was placed in the top nine.
Leslie saw the potential in Deshauna at an early age. It took 7 years to bring it to fruition…
The goal is not the goal, but the giant person within us, that we can bring out. That is what makes us achieve the goal…
We can practice seeing something in others even they are strangers.
