This week on the Prime Good Dads blog, we’re continuing our monthlong discussion on the power of compassion for Prime driver fathers. Last time on the blog, we explored self-compassion. While it’s important that we show ourselves compassion, Prime driver fathers also need to recognize their impact on others, both positive and negative, and that’s the topic of this week’s blog!

Why should we show compassion for others? What are the consequences of a lack of compassion and connection to others? How can you show compassion in your day-to-day life?

If you’re anything like father and grandfather Glen Horack, who has been driving for Prime since 1992, you’re no stranger to the power of compassion on boosting morale among others. He says that sometimes, this means putting others first.

“Everybody has their bad times,” he said. “I like to see other people happy; I don’t care about me. If everybody was happy, there’d be a lot less problems!”

With four decades in the trucking industry, Glen has a wealth of knowledge and wisdom for how over-the-road dads can be compassionate, communicative and caring!

Showing compassion for others yourself and others

Glen admitted that his growing-up years weren’t easy. He had lots of siblings, and his family struggled financially. Glen swore that if he ever had kids of his own, he wouldn’t let them go through what he went through. When you help people, even in times of trouble, that compassion will come back to you.

“If you’re helping other people, you’re going to help yourself, too,” he said.

Glen is happy to say that his two adult children have “no complaints.” The way Glen sees it, because he’d showed compassion to his children while they were growing up, they’re now helping their parents through hardships in return.

As is true in many areas of life: You get out of it what you put into it!

“When you have empathy for others, you hope they have it for you, too,” he said.

Words and simple communication have power

For Glen, words can have extreme power, both in positive and negative ways.

“You can hurt somebody worse with words than you can with your fists sometimes,” he emphasized.

However, Glen also discussed the power of positive words: words of encouragement that uplift people and help them feel better about themselves. He says it’s important to show compassion for others because a lot of people, over-the-road drivers in particular, struggle with loneliness.

“Talk to people in a friendly tone; sometimes it makes their day,” he said.

Glen said that in his opinion, people don’t socialize as much as they used to. He’s observed lots of changes in his field, given he’s been in the trucking industry since 1984.

“A lot of people don’t talk to each other,” he said. “People don’t get out of their trucks, nobody socializes, and the camaraderie isn’t there anymore. People don’t hang out and talk to each other like they used to.”

Glen and his wife, Karla, try to talk to others whenever they can. Socializing with others helps them learn about other people, and it’s a simple form of compassion.

Find opportunities to help people

It’s easy to see that showing compassion with your words is useful. Another way to exercise this trait is by helping people through acts of kindness. By necessity, showing compassion involves interacting with a lot of different people from different walks of life.

“If you’re not actually dealing with people, you can’t show compassion,” Glen said.

Glen participates in Wreaths Across America each year, an opportunity to memorialize and honor veterans by putting wreaths on their gravesites. These acts of compassion help Glen feel like he’s making a difference.

“It makes me feel great because you’re actually helping somebody,” he said, “I like to see other people happy!”

Glen has also shown compassion for others by giving money to people who are unhoused and helping fellow drivers on the side of the road. He said that while the life of a Prime driver means busy schedules, he always tries to find the time to help others when he can.

What goes around, comes around

Glen recently faced an esophagus cancer diagnosis, a scary moment for him and his family. While receiving treatment, he was away from work for nearly eight months.

During that time, his friends started a Facebook page to help raise money for his medical bills. He felt defensive, even angry, at first: He didn’t want charity. However, his friends explained to him their desire to help in any way they could—because Glen has always been the first person to help others.

Glen is happy to say that he is back on the road again, 100% cancer free. He’s grateful for the people who helped him through that time of uncertainty, seeing it as a kind of “positive payback.”

“What you do comes back to you, eventually,” he said.

Final Words

Glen’s tenure at Prime has seen many changes and obstacles. He says that showing compassion for others is a crucial skill for an over-the-road driver. As a compassionate dad, you are uniquely positioned to help others through what they’re going through while also supporting yourself. After undergoing treatment for his cancer, Glen said it changed his entire outlook on life.

“Enjoy life (and) be happy,” he emphasized. “You never know when your last day is going to be!”