I was recently looking for a new vehicle (seems like this is an annual thing) and I had the most interesting talk with the salesman. I was sitting in the dealership  while the "big guy" crunched numbers for us, to see what type of deal they could come up with for me. We will call this salesman Bob :) just to be respectful of his privacy. Bob leaves to speak with one of the higher ups, and comes back with a peace of paper with a number written on to it, to indicate just how low of a price they could accept from me for the vehicle. I looked at the price, and there was no second guessing. My answer was no thank you. I said "Thank you guys so much for all you've done, but I'm not prepared to spend that type of money on a vehicle". They both sort of looked at one another and Bob asked what I was looking to spend. I gave him a firm number to which he replied "You know, you could just finance the rest" I responded and said "I’m aware of that. However, I don't finance vehicles. If I can't afford something, I don't buy it" again they exchanged glances and the higher up salesman smiled and said "That’s not a problem, I respect your answer" and left. A few minutes pass while Bob and I are finishing conversation and he returns  back to inform us that some wires had been crossed and the vehicle was already sold for the asking price. So the option of my even having the vehicle was out of the question anyways. 

Bob and I sat back and I again thanked him and repeated the fact that I don't finance vehicles. "I'm sure it's a good deal Bob, and I appreciate you attempting to  pull strings. But, I've never been one to spend beyond my means anyways, especially on materialistic things. And I'm not about to start now". Bob said "You know what, what you just said really impressed me...You're a very smart woman and I can tell just by speaking with you that you have really great ethics and morals." Who the hell says that kind of thing to you? Like, ever let alone in a dealership. I thanked him and said that I work hard for my $ (she works hard for her money!..had to say that) and I choose carefully how I spend it. Bob asked out of curiosity what I spend my money on. I said a gym membership, gym shoes, supplements, food and sometimes wine ?? I also said that I recently moved here from SK and started a business so I'm in no position to fork over money that I don't have. He laughed and asked if I was married? I said recently separated and now with my boyfriend. He seemed in disbelief. He asked how old I was followed by a guess of 23. I said I was going to be 30 in 6 months. His eyes widened and he said "30?!! You are a well preserved 30 and I must say, a very mature and wise young woman for your age. Obviously it's because you take care of yourself and spend your money on the right things. Such a positive attitude and outlook on life." I thanked him and he walked me to my jeep. On the way out, he shook my hand and said "I have to say it's been a pleasure meeting you. Very nice conversation and you're such a pleasant person to talk with. Keep that attitude always”.

Now, for some this may seem like a boring story. "Yeah, the sales guy was a shmoozer and he was trying to sell you something" But for me, these are the interactions with people that I love to have. Not because he told me that I looked young for my age, but because he was impressed with my character. I often say that I feel like I have the intentions, the energy, and the attitude of a 22 year old, but I have LIVED the life of someone in their late 40's to mid 50's. I've lost a parent, along with many family members. I've had a career in law enforcement before finding my passion for fitness and starting my own business. I've bought a home, sold a home. Fallen in love, fallen out of love. Been married, been separated. I've moved COUNTLESS times and have met so many people along the way. In these times yes, I've been sad and depressed and definitely had days where I truly felt like there was no bright days ahead. But something that I feel I've kept with me through out this life is my ability to laugh. Laugh at myself and definitely laugh at others because that's what I do if you're friends with me. People often meet me and think that I'm younger than I am, because I admit I a little stunned and possibly a little “immature”. I goof off, make silly faces and impersonate my dad in the same weird voice that sounds nothing like my dad. But most of all, I don't take myself too seriously. My true age is 29.  I've had things happen to me, but I've also chosen my life's path. Someone told me recently that they know someone else who is in similar circumstances as I am, but the person makes it obvious that they are. You can tell because they've allowed certain negativities and events in their life consume them. It consumes every single minute of every day. They wake up and that's the first thought in their head. It consumes their thoughts, their conversations, their work and their sleep.  We've all done this at one point or another, but how is this healing? How does obsessing over a negative happening in your life, make it better. Accepting your reality is a must, yes. But calling yourself a victim of life is hardly a life at all. 

Choosing to be the victim is easy. Poor me, feel sorry for me. I consider myself to be an empathetic person, but I also will be the first to wipe my own tears and get on with the show. When my transmission went and I received a call at work about how much a new one would cost. My throat immediately closed up and I had to choke back tears. After I hung up I could feel my eyes burning.  My co-worker asked if I was ok (which for me are trigger words to open the flood gates) I smiled an awkward smile and sarcastically said "Oh. I'm unreal, thanks". For a good portion of the day I would cry in private, and come back to the floor. A few times I was  crying and then had to answer the phone! " (sniff) Lindsay speaking". Not ideal, but you get through it. At the end of the day my coworker said "Good for you for handling that news the way you did. I can tell your not happy about it,  but you didn't let it ruin your whole day".  PAH! Oh it put a god damn rift into my entire savings.. but I choose not to let it affect me and the way that interact with others. Why? Because I can't control it. But more importantly, the more you talk about negativity, the more you bring on for yourself. Let that shit go! Find some happy for yourself and focus on those instead. It is very easy to focus on things you hate, rather than the people and the places that you love. When something negative happens in your life, remember that there is always tomorrow to start all over again. Take comfort in knowing that a situation could always be worse, and that there is a reason that you are going through the situations that you are. And when that reason finally becomes clear to you, the feeling of realization is incredible.