Now, as for me--I have never quite fit in. I never pretended to fit in either. But, what I lacked in terms of fitting in, I made up for in determination. I remember the first job I had for pay was at A&W Rootbeer in Calhoun, Georgia. This was the first summer I spent with my mother and my step-father after she re-married. My Dad lived about 50 miles away and I was just visiting for the summer, so I thought. Plans had already been made for me to attend City High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. But somehow, I wound up staying in Calhoun. For some reason, I found out many years later--my Dad was never even told. I just stayed. After the divorce, my brother Clay and I had lived with my Daddy; but for the next year, Clay would continue to live with my Dad -- until eventually, all four of us kids were reunited with my Mother and step-father. We had a big family: two step-children, the four of us and then two more which came afterwards. We had three bedrooms and one bathroom, which was the norm for that time.
Anyway, when I arrived that summer, my mother said, "hey, I got you a job at a restaurant, and you get to start tomorrow." Well, that was sort of exciting for someone who had always made her own way and never depended on anybody for money since she was in the seventh grade. I was used to not having to ask for anything and could painfully remember as a little girl asking for some money for different things and being told, "I don't have one red cent." That right there was motivation enough for me to want to always pay my own way and not have to be rejected. I've often heard it said that "the hand will not reach further than what the heart desires." My heart's desire was to be independent financially.When I arrived that day, I was introduced to Charlie Carson, the owner. As I looked down at Charlie, I noticed he had one finger that was partially gone. He told me later it had happened while chopping meat through a grinder. When he told me about what had happened later on, he looked at me and smiled sticking up that finger saying, "I'm the only person I know who can shoot a half bird." I remember my face turning red, a little embarassed. Charlie's wife, Frances and their son, Randy, worked in the kitchen. Their son, Timmy, worked as a curb hop. Charlie also had a younger son, Tommy, who stayed with relatives at their home while the family worked. Charlie was a good man and dedicated his profits each Wednesday to the church he attended. But also, he worked very hard.
Before I left the house that day, my mother had given me advice: "always keep busy; if you see something that needs to be done, just do it." So that is what I did. I received my first raise the same day. Instead of making $1.00/hour like everyone else, Charlie said I deserved $1.25/hour (top pay for an inside worker). The inside job lasted about a month until my younger brother, Bobby, came to work and I saw all the tips he made and how much fun he had and asked Charlie if I could join him outside as a curb hop. When I did that, I was making as much as most grown people did on a regular job. I also met my former husband while working that job. He said he ate alot of hamburgers just to get to see me. I worked at A&W Rootbeer for almost four years.
That era was the time of mini-skirts and clogs. I can still see myself now working in that attire waiting on cars. Seems crazy when I think back on it. But those were great days and times of freedom in having a job which allowed me to be me. When I first began, I was very shy; however, the thought of more money was motivation enough for me to enter into an unknown world which would require adapting to a different set of rules--the rules of allowing myself to be me and let my true personality shine forth. I would say 50% of my tips were determined by how well people liked me. I would say A&W was sort of like the drive in with Sonic, except no speakers and no drive thrus. The only drawback was in seeing all my friends driving around town and having a fun time while I worked. But still, it wasy my fun to work.
The first half of my career was spent working regular desk jobs; like Bookkeeper, Word Processor, Legal Secretary, Claims Assistant, and Office Manager. But I have spent the last part of my career in positions which required me to work on commission, and the ultimate results were based on my own ability to communicate properly with the perspective customers. Even when I owned my own satellite dish business for about five years, the results were based on the same thing. What I found was that I enjoyed a job better if it allowed me the freedom to be myself. I found my ultimate freedom in sales positions.
I remember once when I was working a temporary job which wound up lasting nine months, I applied for a more permanent position with the Tax Commissioner's Office in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Instead of looking more at my credentials, the person who interviewed me said that I would need to cut my hair and also would have to come in early like all of the other girls. Me, a nonconformist, would be required to conform. I just couldn't believe my ears. I did not take that job, but did find another position where I worked for about two years with Buster Brown Apparel. Later on, working for lawyers was not that much better. When you came into work, the receptionist was sitting there with her ledger to record the time you came in. You were expected to dress and act in a professional manner (what was expected). I do understand, but still--I wanted to be me, and me was not just some pretty girl sitting behind a desk in pretty clothes smiling at people with a pretty smile. My heart yearned for something more.
Many people will tell you that once you have tasted being self-employed that you may no longer be adaptable to just any job. I have heard the term applied to such people as myself as being "psychologically unemployable." I have never liked people telling me what to do. That is what made sales so attractive. I found that just by being myself and loving the people I was selling to, I sold more. It was just a natural outcome. Once while selling commercial grade windows (the average sale being around $8000), I was doing so well, that the owner said the only thing I needed to do was to get my selling price higher and I would make more money. He was actually thinking about himself (not me) in that he would make more money. Anyway, when I tried to conform into what he wanted me to be, my sales dropped. I had the opportunity to sell at a certain price, and that was called "PAR". I felt comfortable selling at or around PAR because I felt I was giving the customer a deal and it was a win-win situation. The more I tried to conform, the worse my performance. Although I was good in sales, money was not my key reason for enjoying that career. I enjoyed the flexibility, meeting people, and the self-satisfaction when I made a sale.
I have worked many jobs. What I have found was that I thrived and excelled on a job which allowed me to be me. Put me in a box, and I wither away. You know that is what we do with God sometimes. We put God in a box and think that he can only do certain things. We limit him in our lives by only allowing him so much hold on our lives. We take the reins and live in disobedience to his law as found in the Bible. The one thing I have found in my life is that every time I try to do it my way, I fail. So, really for the past few years I have given God complete control. If his word says something is not right, I try my best not to do it. I walk in the spirit and go where he says to go. On the surface, to others, decisions I make may look to be the wrong decision; but I put my faith in the Lord my God--not empty words spoken by people who think that everything is about "comfort." If you are one to read the scripture, you will see that most people who walk in the spirit are not doing the comfortable thing.
For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37 KJV
One thing I really love about God--he allows me to be me. He is there watching to see what I do in various situations. He even sets these situations up just to allow me to see what I am made of. If I fail, he brings up another situation which is similar until ultimately I make the decision to pass the test.
I am thankful for my Christian Homebased Business, GBG, because it allows me to be me. I have still not really gotten it off the ground as much as I would personally like. However, my vision for the future is to develop a worldwide team beginning here in Chattanooga, Tennessee. As we begin our international expansion this next year, I pray that God brings the right people to join my team in order to take a message of good health and prosperity along with GBG, which stands for guided by God, to the nations. I have examined many home based businesses, and my decision to join GBG has been the best decision in regards to career possibilities, that I have ever made. With network marketing, you are working on building a residual income for many years to come, if you choose the right company.
I have been involved in network marketing for many years. GBG has everything in a company I have ever looked for. But, besides the great company, wonderful product which helps people, fantastic payplan and worldwide opportunity, GBG allows me to be me. I pray for blessings on all the people GBG effects, whether on my team or on any team in GBG. I also pray that you find your own way of promoting the opportunity to allow you to be true to your own self and allow GBG to make an impact for the Kingdom of God. I pray for blessings on GBG and the owner, Stuart Finger who had a vision to help the average family.
My church has many needs for the future which I pray can be impacted by my giving. What is small now will be large in the future--thanks to GBG. The vision is the same for my homebased business. It is small now, but I have the larger vision in mind. I heard something sort of funny, "if you say God is your co-pilot, you need to move over." I pray that God guides me to say and do the right things, especially the things I write and that my writings will help people have hope and realize that their only true hope is a relationship with Jesus Christ as their savior and lord. All glory be to my heavenly father.
For God so loved the world , that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever (and that means you) believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14 (KJV)
If you need to get in touch with me, I am available at (678)848-5254.
For more information on my company or product, visit http://www.shopgbg.com/372390
