Saturday, flea market day. It seems I learn something new every day I show up at the flea market. Here are today's takeaways. 1. Old men are lonely. They just want somebody to “Listen” and hope that they can pass on knowledge they have gained over their lifetime. Seems to me a lot more of us should be listening and not talking. 2. I now understand why everyone wants my business card. I think it serves several purposes, of course I like to think they will actually share it with someone they know who is interested in the outdoors. (they all say someone in their family would love this). but it serves another purpose, maybe even more so than I ever thought. I think some people just like to have a memento of their experience. Whether that is a conversation, or a memory (remember how Uncle Howard used to go fishing all the time) or maybe, just maybe it is deeper than that. Maybe it is self-serving? Knowing that that card is going to be put in a wallet, in the console of their car, or thrown in a jar… someday they will touch it again, I hope the memory they have is a good one… 3. The family walking their young boy aren’t really there looking for a good deal on Tupperware. They are there to show their child an experience he or she hasn’t had yet. To teach them that there are many people in this world. Some do this or that, some look one way, others look another. But that we are all people just living our lives the best we can. (Side note: I am not so sure that me trying to sell my stuff is necessarily having the effect intended. I really am starting to enjoy talking and interacting with people) Shocking, I know! 4. People value stories, context, passion and skill and ability, not looks or shiny objects. 5. Never, ever judge a book by its cover. The middle eastern feller that walked by twice. Had one hell of a story about Baghdad... and we share some very common ground... 6. The vendors next to you, will always look out for you. When your mid-sentence into a story with one customer and one you didn’t see comes up, they jump at the chance to keep them engaged while you finish up. I’ve learned to do the same. I guess that is flea market etiquette. Who knew there was such a thing. 7. The guy with a cane that is struggling, well he might never take my class, but he damn sure wanted to hear about my adventures. When I told him I could figure out a way for him to enjoy nature he just shook his head and said” I don’t have much time left” he didn’t elaborate, and I didn’t ask, but I did say I will pray for you. He smiled and said I’ll do the same for you and wished me luck… like seriously… he is dying and wished me success?
Maybe, just maybe I am learning more about life than what I set out to do here. Or maybe my RBF isn’t as bad as what I thought? I don’t know. But the people I talk to here just seem to really enjoy my enthusiasm and passion.
I hope it helps, he’ll I ain’t even thinking of selling stuff now. Maybe I’ll just open a booth and call it the” flea market motivation course” lol.
I hope you all have a blessed Easter, and as always…
Keep your paddle wet and your powder dry. J
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