It was the summer of 1980; I had my driver’s license and was looking to buy a car. I had saved some money from working various jobs, but I didn’t have nearly enough for a vehicle.
I did have something of value though. I had collected baseball and football trading cards since as early as I could remember. Back in those days, Topps didn’t sell entire collections, but rather just sold individual packages of ten cards with a hard piece of bubble gum in the pack.
I can remember going into conveniences stores, buying a few packs, and then racing home to see if I got any new cards. When I got duplicates, I would often trade with friends.
At 15, I was at a crossroads. I had loved those cards for so long, but they were now in a closet, and I really wanted a car. For me, it was time to move forward.
Remember, there was no internet or online sales opportunity in 1980, so I put an ad in the Minden Press Herald and waited for a call. Sure enough, just a few days later, a man from St. Louis called and wanted to look at the collection.
He showed up at our apartment the following Saturday and offered me $500 for the entire collection. I had thousands of cards and knew that they would one day be worth a whole lot more, but I needed cash right then. We agreed, but he asked one question before he paid me.
He asked if I had removed any cards from the collection. He caught me off guard. He had thumbed through them and saw some very valuable cards, so I was troubled at this question. I was also troubled because I had removed three cards from the collection.
I told him he had access to every card that I had in my collection. I had duplicates of the three I pulled out. In my mind, he was getting a steal and just needed to be happy with it. So, I didn’t tell him the truth.
I was reminded of that moment just recently when I came across those three cards. Several thoughts rushed through my head when I saw those cards.
For one, it brought back great memories of all the time I had spent with those cards. That collection was the constant early on for me through my parents’ divorce, our move, and through some lonely times.
Secondly, it was a great learning experience of knowing when it’s time to move on from something. That collection was great while I had it, and would have been a good long-term investment, but for me, it was time to move on. I had to let go to move on in life. I have never regretted that decision.
Finally, I do regret not being honest with the purchaser that Saturday morning. I wish I had just told him that I had removed three cards the night before and that there were duplicates in the collection. He could take the deal or drive home to St. Louis with nothing. It would be his call.
Three questions for you:
What’s the constant in your life to help you through the tough times? Hopefully, it’s a “who” and not “what” as it was for me in the early days.
What are you holding on to that you need to let go of to move forward in your life?
Where do you need to be honest and quit hiding behind a lie fearful of things not working out as you planned?
Oh, I did purchase a 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass for $1200 a few months later. It wouldn’t go in reverse for several months, but it did go forward and allow me to go forward!
Doug provides professional speaking and coaching services to organizations and individuals. Whether you are looking for a speaker for your next event or a leadership coach to develop people and build a team culture, feel free to reach out to Doug at doug.strickel@gmail.com and learn more about PLUS.
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