I thought New Years day was suppose to be a holiday that you got paid for but didn’t have to work, I guess no one told Atilla MY Hun. ( I Love that woman) So there I was on January 1st, 2013 with a full schedule and my first stop was 45 miles away. I didn’t mind really, I actually think some of these paid holidays are for the birds and besides, not working just means I’ve gotta make it up somewhere else down the line. That said, I did sleep in a little (staying up till 10:30 wears on ya) and so I started off about 30 minutes late and I thought I’d be in for a brutal day. What the new day of the new year brought me however was quite a different story and I thought for sure, this would be a precursor for a great and wonderful year.
Not a single customer that day said anything about my being late, in fact each one wanted to chat which made me later. I received much praise for my work and compliments about my company and man did that make me feel good. One sweet lady actually put me on the phone with her son, a missionary in Kenya who was having an issue with rats in the attic. She told him, “Even though I couldn’t be there to actually treat-there’s no one better in the world to talk to.” Considering the geography, I took that as huge compliment (Skype is amazing) Another job had me under a home built ON the waters of the Gulf of Mexico dealing with roaches–(boots were handy) and the owner was so gracious and said he admired my ethic and willingness to get to where the problem was. He then wrote me out a nice sized check and told me to lock up when I leave–Trust is something I value so very much. On this day not one client complained about bugs or was negative in any way. No one went on and on about the Mayan calendar or the political situation of our country, or how I screwed up their life by being late, it was just a great day. I got paid by everyone, got a referral and even shared a prayerful moment with a wonderful lady who is at the moment, battling cancer. I mention this because had it not come up in casual conversation– she never would have said a word. She was only focused on the positive but when it slipped out, she was glad to share. I was amazed at her resolve. To her, each day is a new beginning with a brand new horizon to reach for. I could do nothing but stand in awe.
Traditionally the new “working” year starts on the 2nd so there I am with a full schedule again but oh my what a difference a day makes. While just 24 hours ago I was intruding on peoples time off, their holiday and I received nothing but kindness, this day was a stark reminder of how uncaring, cruel and cut throat trying to survive in business can be.
Day Two
While the first few jobs were uneventful, my mid to late day was a train wreck off a burning wooden viaduct with a petroleum factory at the bottom of the fall.
It started with a man claiming ‘not’ to be the guy who ordered my work for a lawn spray turning me away–bye bye $80 bucks–(he was the guy-unless his girlfriend who called his name to get the pitbulls put away when I knocked had two boyfriends name Dwan)– Then to a lady who called two companies for roach service prices, hired both of us but yelled at me because I didn’t show up at the time she told THEM to come out. I was called a liar, fly by night and a rip off because my price was higher. Dazed and confused, I just had to walk away with a “Yes Ma’am” as I bit my lip really, really hard. Only to go to an account
to try and collect on a check that was written on an account that was already closed. Now normally I’m pretty good at that stuff but pulling in the drive and seeing a beat up sign that says “I don’t dial 911” with a gun super imposed on it and a souped up car in the grass and 20” inch rims with a huge “Tap Out” mixed martial arts decal on the rear window and 3 massive pitbulls (more pitbulls) held back by a rickety old wire fence— hey– I don’t mind saying, I was a little glad when they didn’t answer the door. Bye Bye $150 bucks plus bank fees. Besides that, it seemed that all the daily pressures of the route and business came crashing in and my phone was like an enemy that brought nothing but despair and unhappiness. Decisions I didn’t want to make, bills I didn’t want to hear about and equipment that picked this moment to just crap out after years of unwavering perfection. If I were a drinking man, this might be a good time to head to a bar, if I were a quitting person–no time like the present. If I weren’t so stubborn, I just might call that danged company whose been sending me postcards about every business they’ve been buying up because they’d love to snap up mine— whooooaa, so close today but….
If it wasn’t for yesterday– I might never have had hope.
In life, new beginnings are almost always a welcome thing. Why? Because somehow or another we get it in our heads that things could always be better and we want that. Or, that things couldn’t get any worse and OMG-we just want out of that. Either way, a fresh start at these points always gives us a new energy, an invigorated purpose and/or for no real concrete reason, we just have a new dawn in our eyes and old things are past and new and good things are possible. That my friend, is a good thing.
I’ve decided to forget about January 2nd and look forward to the rest of my NEW YEAR. If for no other reason, that the 1st was so good to me, so promising and so much of what I seek for my business. There are plenty of “2nd’s” in life and while ‘Thankfully’ we don’t always get a full dose of them they are a reality and somedays are just a full blown “2nd” and there’s little we can do. Still, in each and every day there is always a little (or a lot) of a “1st” and that sweet savor is beyond compare and drowns out that weak and paltry “2nd” every time if we’ll just take the time to appreciate it.
I guess I could get a bit sappy or poetic here but I won’t–you’re smart–I know you’ve had both of these days..1st’s & 2nd’s… I am not unique. I just refuse to let people, circumstance and BS get in my way…..I am going to look to the positive…..How bout you?
Welcome 2013.
