--- title: "Gratitude Focus: Today, I am Grateful For “Random Readers.”" description: Discover the power of connection through unexpected encounters and the impact of storytelling in building resilience and purpose. Join the journey of growth. image: https://orvinkimbrough.com/hubfs/BLOG%20VISUALS%20(29)-1.jpg --- [![image 1-1](https://orvinkimbrough.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image%201-1.png?width=1500&height=625&name=image%201-1.png "image 1-1")](https://orvinkimbrough.com/) - [Books](https://orvinkimbrough.com/books) - [NIVRO AI](https://orvinkimbrough.com/nivro-ai) - Content - [Blog](https://orvinkimbrough.com/blog) - [Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-move-podcast/id1790945701) - About - [Meet Orv](https://orvinkimbrough.com/about-orv) - [Contact](https://orvinkimbrough.com/contact) - [Media and Testimonials](https://orvinkimbrough.com/media-testimonials) [Join The Thriver's Path™](https://orvinkimbrough.com/begin-the-thrivers-path) [![image 1-1](https://orvinkimbrough.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image%201-1.png?width=1500&height=625&name=image%201-1.png "image 1-1")](https://orvinkimbrough.com/) [Join The Thriver's Path™](https://orvinkimbrough.com/begin-the-thrivers-path) [![image 1](https://orvinkimbrough.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image%201.png?width=114&height=48&name=image%201.png "image 1")](https://orvinkimbrough.com/) - [Books](https://orvinkimbrough.com/books) - [NIVRO AI](https://orvinkimbrough.com/nivro-ai) - Content - [Blog](https://orvinkimbrough.com/blog) - [Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-move-podcast/id1790945701) - About - [Meet Orv](https://orvinkimbrough.com/about-orv) - [Contact](https://orvinkimbrough.com/contact) - [Media and Testimonials](https://orvinkimbrough.com/media-testimonials) [Join The Thriver's Path™](https://orvinkimbrough.com/begin-the-thrivers-path) [![image 1-1](https://orvinkimbrough.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image%201-1.png?width=1500&height=625&name=image%201-1.png "image 1-1")](https://orvinkimbrough.com/) [Join The Thriver's Path™](https://orvinkimbrough.com/begin-the-thrivers-path) - [Books](https://orvinkimbrough.com/books) - [NIVRO AI](https://orvinkimbrough.com/nivro-ai) - Content - [Blog](https://orvinkimbrough.com/blog) - [Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-move-podcast/id1790945701) - About - [Meet Orv](https://orvinkimbrough.com/about-orv) - [Contact](https://orvinkimbrough.com/contact) - [Media and Testimonials](https://orvinkimbrough.com/media-testimonials) [Join The Thriver's Path](https://orvinkimbrough.com/begin-the-thrivers-path) # Gratitude Focus: Today, I am Grateful For “Random Readers.” ![](https://orvinkimbrough.com/hubfs/BLOG%20VISUALS%20(29)-1.jpg) --- ### **Reflection/Why I’m Grateful:**  I was sitting in a hotel lobby (Biltmore) when a familiar face approached me and shared that she had been speaking with another person at the conference. That person, as it turned out, had been searching online for books before the conference and happened to pick up *Twice Over a Man* as her in-flight reading. This morning, when I walked into a session, she saw me, connected the dots, and realized I was the author of the book she had been reading. Later that evening, after dinner, she approached me with a big hug. I asked her what led her to purchase my book. She said she is newer to reading and was drawn to stories of resilience—how someone could go from foster care to leading a bank. She shared that she appreciated my perspective, especially because I didn’t take a victim mentality. In that private moment, she confided that she is trying to encourage those around her. I couldn’t help but thank her. She is the first “random reader” I’ve met. I believe God knows exactly what we need and places people in our lives at just the right time. She needed to see that I was real, and I needed to see that real people—ones I might have assumed I had little in common with—are actually deeply connected to my story.   Have you ever unexpectedly encountered someone who affirmed the value of your work or story? ###### — Reflection Question #### Hi, I’m Orvin Kimbrough, volunteer, board director, chairman, and CEO. I help professionals move from feeling stuck to being strengthened by reshaping how they think, lead, and live. My work focuses on confidence, leadership, and influence through mindset shifts, expanded networks, and bold, values-aligned action. My perspective is rooted in lived experience, from growing up in foster care to leading complex institutions as a CEO and shaped by faith, resilience, and a deep belief in human potential. ![Rectangle 19461](https://orvinkimbrough.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Rectangle%2019461.png?width=398&height=353&name=Rectangle%2019461.png) ## Books for Every Stage [***Twice Over a Man***](https://www.amazon.com/Twice-Over-Man-Doggedly-Determined/dp/1955711348/ref=sr_1_3) A memoir often described as a leadership guide wrapped in an honest, relatable story of perseverance, healing, and growth. It explores how pain can be reframed into purpose and how ordinary people build meaningful lives through courage and clarity. [***More Than a Conqueror***](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.ingramspark.com%2Fb%2F084%3Fparams%3DTxWdcxD48kMFq4JCl6q8N6xELUyUMvOOCcW8D1h28GM%26fbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExVWZPbHNLOWlreXEwNzVvaHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4Xnzp0DAi0TCjDdZU_d_z_jvXeZTzpmqX-jTYytn_JY7PbHR96V0zDdVgJAg_aem_zCiXf98tO_kzMsGKgsMfBA&h=AT2QcqQJfTGgJz_YzXF6uc5IrcqJpsQEkTFQWwxM90T-Qi70KY-OAOrZRaagju1LRB1gtGF_hkJ-uCEFeUW-mCEb55f7NOgga0uO9gPChQlba2XFdkHePj9jDAWGRsSehJkwWeT566MqrhHI&__tn__=R]-R&c[0]=AT24IZs-rVDDTL6Ga7AaNVlaFWXrL_28ayVIUMWzqHHrZcNzcgZTpt_4HcYiIWYJ659NVuqX1e9Rk0C-fq-9xfi_4A-8Imeky5zW740lVcTEtoYn2b7xLKb9wvqTtrHeaJUta7Ck1XukJvfZ32YvekN0qbnpUTcguibwtCoXAbTaXOGmZxNWzJFbxZ1L_SJ5hDLKWIVoFw) Written for teens and young adults, this book encourages confidence, resilience, and identity formation during the years when self-belief is being shaped. [***Ward and the State***](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.ingramspark.com%2Fb%2F084%3Fparams%3DwdqQ7FopuaJaqQkUZSG1sFLjjMSN5sVtNQLMjmvFom3%26fbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExVWZPbHNLOWlreXEwNzVvaHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5_NsTCZ-_KHsrXmHc1VU3zjdg3q2V4d2LJrEAXyTk6oUnOwXASQz2e7opqzg_aem_en3qxyK4EFHDmFHING2rGw&h=AT3ljrY7ibgL7UyEHSLeOeid0aW-uXxvRfjpFw6K0ZHN1SYBT2vzMVP2Uc8-TxwQ-lO80FPTLIbPqnzeJwW_JGwatIzAOZtEpEkZEUpNUdwGMqKjs5yEZfe7Jxkzu2MZ3eS_feyEOrIpqiGu&__tn__=R]-R&c[0]=AT24IZs-rVDDTL6Ga7AaNVlaFWXrL_28ayVIUMWzqHHrZcNzcgZTpt_4HcYiIWYJ659NVuqX1e9Rk0C-fq-9xfi_4A-8Imeky5zW740lVcTEtoYn2b7xLKb9wvqTtrHeaJUta7Ck1XukJvfZ32YvekN0qbnpUTcguibwtCoXAbTaXOGmZxNWzJFbxZ1L_SJ5hDLKWIVoFw) A children’s book that gently introduces big ideas like belonging, courage, and hope, helping young readers see themselves as more than their circumstances ## INTRODUCING: The Thriver’s Path™ **This blog is part of** [***The Thriver’s Path™***](https://orvinkimbrough.com/begin-the-thrivers-path)**—a growing ecosystem of writing, courses, reflections, and community designed to help people of all ages reframe their thinking, reclaim their agency, and take their next meaningful move.** ***→ Ready for your next move?*** **Explore more writings, resources, and ways to engage at** [**orvinkimbrough.com**](https://orvinkimbrough.com/home-page)**, or join the conversation inside the** [**Thrivers Club™ community**](https://orvinkimbrough.com/begin-the-thrivers-path)**.** ## Enjoyed this post? 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