[Mahler]

Mahler’s Monday Morning Motivator # 93 – Bargain Hunting

Good morning, guys.

I guess you might call this Motivator, Black Friday, Part Two.. On that celebrated day after Thanksgiving, marked by wild sales, tremendous markdowns and general insanity I was amused and a little more than amazed at the lengths that people would go to for a bargain. People camped out on the sidewalks in front of stores, hoping to be the first to get in. Others lined up for hours in the cold, waiting for the stores to open their doors. They got up in the early hours of the morning to get a good position in line. Still more stampeded through the stores, when the doors finally did open, jumping barriers and counters, shoving others out of the way, and oblivious of the fellow shoppers who had fallen or were pushed to the floor and in danger of being trampled.

And what fabulous bargains brought these people out with their sleeping bags to lie in the cold on a slab of concrete? What prized purchase made it worth setting the alarm for 2 am to get up and make the pilgrimage to stand in line shivering for hours. What Holy Grail drew these people magnetically to the store where it is enshrined? What then turned them into veritable animals, trampling their fellow man to be the first to gaze upon it, to touch it, to buy it? Surely these are the treasures of the ages; flat screen TVs, laptop computers, and video games. Yes, the veritable gold, frankincense, and myrrh of our time was there for the taking and take they did. The couch potato’s dream-come-true.

The more I thought about them, the more these stories began to change my feelings from amusement and amazement, to a little bit of disgust. Maybe some of the negativity of the whole situation rubbed off on me, but I began thinking strange thoughts. And because this is a season filled with the wide-eyed enthusiasm of the young, I wondered how many of these folks ever went hiking or camped out with their children. I was curious how many would stand in line for any length of time to chat with their child’s teacher at the school open house. I mused at how many would get up a little earlier than usual to make sure their child had a hot breakfast before school.

Sadly, I thought, the wild dash to get a bargain, the jump over the counter, may be the last running and jumping that some of these bargain hunters will do until the next Black Friday. I would like to check on these super shoppers six months from now and see how much improved their lives are because of their shrewd deals. Will many of the bargains for which they fought so hard be broken, cast aside or little used? Who knows? I doubt that in the knowing, any difference would be made or any lessons learned.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I am as much into the buying and gift giving as the next guy. I just happen to think there are other bargains out there that are ours for the taking.

Fitness is a bargain. Our only investment is a little hard work and some time.
Friendship is a bargain, at the small cost of a smile and some pleasant conversation.
Family is a bargain for which we pay nothing but the gift of ourselves and some shared moments.
Life is a bargain. Each day it’s on sale for the lowest possible price for which no one should find their pockets empty.

These bargains are not seconds. They carry a lifetime guarantee and months, even years from now you will still be enjoying them and the pleasure they bring. There is only one stipulation. No credit or debit cards allowed. No buy now, pay later. These bargains require cash on demand. You can’t put off paying for them, because it is in the payment of them that you walk away with your treasure.

Have a great week and go out bargain hunting today.
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In Fitness & Friendship,
Mahler