Christianity on Sale!

I have a confession:  My girlfriend and I shopped the Outlet Mall the other day—and it was my idea.

Yes, it's true. (Slightly ironic, too, since Outlet Mall shopping is pretty close to my vision of hell.)

I'll resist regaling you with anecdotes of bargains-had and the Goodwill donations that are surely in our future. The most interesting thing to me - other than the cyclone that seemed to have blown through the Polo store - was that Christianity has a retail outpost at the Outlet Mall!


"I am not paying retail for my religion, so help me God!!"

I've never given it much thought, but I guess it makes sense that there exist Christian sundry items that go begging at their traditional retail stores. Seconds. Rejects. Lightly used religious regalia.  Calendars with misquoted bible verse? The Jesus pepper grinder that didn't quite meet sales projections.  Everyone loves a bargain - God-fearing or not.

God bless the bargain hunter.
Peace be with you.

What Goes Around...

I picked up and quickly read this book last week - The Go-Giver - a modern fable on prosperity told in the context of a modern day Joe Salesman in search of the secrets that will help him hit his monthly quotas with ease and aplomb.

It's an engaging read and a great reminder that, when it comes to true success, putting others needs ahead of your own really works. Obviously, the principles covered apply to life in general - not just business life.

There are 5 Laws of Stratospheric Success brought to life through the story, one of which is the Law of Receptivity. While you must give, it is also essential to receive. One does not exist without the other. Do not resist the gifts others offer (whatever form they take) - it's potentially insulting, arrogant and, at the least, stops the natural flow of things.

This came to life for me the other day at my bank of all places. I had the occasion to be a good samaritan 2 weeks in a row - both times picking up something in the parking lot that another customer had presumably dropped / lost. The first week was a bluetooth headset. The second week was a bank deposit bag full of cash and checks (I only know this from the weight and the fact that the bank staff opened it when I brought it inside). I was struck more by the crazy coincidence of stumbling upon lost goods in the bank parking lot 2 weeks in a row than by any dilemma over whether I should turn them in. Who wouldn't? (Besides, aren't there cameras all over the place??;-)

I went back to the bank a couple of days ago (just to see what I might find in the parking lot!) to cash a check. The teller handed me an envelope with my name on it and inside was a reward check with the words "for your honesty" written on the memo line. Wow. Thanks. But. Um. I'm not sure how I feel about being rewarded for my honesty. Isn't that pretty much "cost of entry" for living a decent life? (I know, we all lie occasionally).

Anyway, I swallowed my protestations and cashed the check - graciously accepting the gifts that were bestowed upon me.

Onward!

The Cream Puff

Here's a great article / feature by Richard Chang in the NYTimes. The owner of an E Type, George Sweeper, nicely captures the experience of the sociability required just to get gas. It reminded me of the piece I wrote (and recorded) about my own 1974 Jaguar - XJ6L (pictured here).
A version of this piece also appeared in the Seattle Times.