Change Is In the Air? I Don't Think So!

Whoa!  This past week and weekend have been an eye-opener for me!  This roller coaster I am on being in the antique retail business has its ups and downs - and last week was down!  Take it from me - do not make life changing decisions while you are down!

I went all the way from thinking of locking the door and going home in the middle of the day (which I NEVER do), to closing the store and going 100% on-line sales, to thinking of selling out completely, and now today - back to my normal optimistic, happy self.  What in the world happened?

It was a series of things which I'll try to explain.  The first was an article in the newspaper about how our downtown can never be vibrant like it was in the past and that if anyone wants to see it that way, they might as well look in their rearview mirror.  Well, I'll tell you, from an antique shop owner's point of view who is trying everything to have the best antique store in the area, this was a depressing analysis.  The article went on to explain the demise of even large department stores and how everything is going to on-line sales.

Well, I have on-line sales, so I thought, maybe I just will do 100% on-line sales and not sell retail downtown anymore.  After investigating that idea, I found that the legalities of doing something like that out of your home in my hometown is something that cannot be overcome - we asked, and the answer was "no".

After being a little down about that turn of events, I thought - well, I just don't have to be in business at all!  I'm 63 - why don't I just retire?  Then my mind started to turn to what I would do with myself if I retired?  I am a very active person, and enjoy my shop which is my creative outlet, my on-line sales, facebook, and now pinterest.  What on earth would keep me interested and active - I really didn't have an answer to that. 

So this morning, after sleeping on the events of last week and this weekend, I'm all perked up and ready to go again!  I am forever an optimist (even if I do get my feet knocked out from under me every now and then) - I believe that there is opportunity in each and every day to do some good in this world, and if I stop having my retail outlet, what would my outlet be?  For now, this is settled.  I found a great quote on Pinterest that said something like this "Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it!".  How easy it is to let what someone else says or does affect our decisions, our self confidence, and even our overall mood.  It is important to be enthusiastic about what you do (even on the bad days) and believe in yourself and not let one person change that.  

I'm back on track again - and looking for my opportunities to reach out and help someone sell and/or buy beautiful treasures, listen to my customers' happy stories and worries, and maybe spread a little joy along the way.  I believe that God has a plan for me and that, at least for now, I am living it!