If you’re following along, you know I spend my days and nights sitting in the back of a FedEx Office location anywhere from 8-12 hours a day. I utilize the free wifi, free air conditioning and free desk space to look for work online, market my films, work on client projects etc. And I often have a friend sitting right next to me doing her bills, studying for her next driving test and frequently looks over to start a conversation with me. My friend’s name is Patty and she’s a 72 year old widow.
Patty sees my persevering efforts on a daily basis. I sit next to her for hours learning about her life and goals and I share mine with her as well. She’s my biggest fan! But today, I had to take her to school.
Today she started off a conversation with, “Why don’t you go and apply to those big companies? You’re a very smart young man and I know they’ll hire you!”
“I don’t want a 9-5, Patty, that will not satisfy my aspirations, It may allow me to pay my bills, but it will cancel out any progress with my business or films.”
“I don’t understand. You’re a bright young man and I know someone out there can use your skills. You never eat and you work too hard.”
“Whatever it takes, Patty.”
“Well I don’t like it! You deserve better.”
“It’s not about deserving, it’s about earning.”
LOL by now I can tell she’s getting upset with me. She’s only commenting on my circumstances and I’m just telling her the truth! What I do isn’t for everyone, and very few can understand my methods.
Patty repeats her concerns, “Well I worry about you sometimes. What would your Mother say?”
“My mother doesn’t really know what I’m doing, I guess no one does. But it doesn’t matter. This is what I have to do to succeed. I can get a normal job and waste away, or I can struggle for what I want and achieve it.”
“When?!” Patty sternly replies.
“I don’t know. It’s not something to put a time frame on. Obviously the sooner the better, but it will happen when it happens and I am confident I will succeed.”
Patty and I have this same conversation about once a month. I remind her of what I do and why I do it and then she lectures me. But in a friendly manner. She calls me her friend and I call her a friend too.
Patty is a cute little old lady about 5 feet tall with short white hair, a long time widow who lives by herself. I think she comes here just to talk with me and the rest of the staff here. She also loves watching and interacting with the little kids who run around the store. She even brings me apples and slips me $5 on occasion. Patty is awesome!
Do you have a cute little old lady as a friend? Well you should!
