What I Learned From My Car
by Denise Hedges
Well, not from my car exactly.
It'd be more accurate to say what I learned from my recent car-buying and car-selling experience. But all that in a second.
First, I want to tell you a story.
I have a mild case of sleep apnea. I had to buy an expensive gizmo about three years ago to help me sleep better at night. When I got the thing, they did a test to make sure the pressure was set at the optimal level. Everything was good. The machine seemed to help. Cool beans.
But then, last year, I started having some problems and my doctor suggested I have the pressure re-checked to make sure I was getting the proper airflow.
WELL ... the test to determine the pressure was very expensive when I initially had it done and I was hesitant to pay that kind of money again. And there are two companies that do the testing and I figured I needed to contact both of them to see if I could get a deal. And well, that takes time and attention and I was busy.
And so, this thing became a king-sized toleration in my life ... something I thought about off and on, but never did anything about. Can you relate?
Last week, I went back to the doctor ... a year later ... with some of the same concerns ... and he gave me the same advice. Go figure. (He loves it when I jump right on his suggestions.)
Anyway, so I'm finally ready to take action. But my mind is still stuck on the cost! And I'm annoyed at having to go through the process as I pick up the phone and call the first company ... the one that sold me the machine and did the first test. I tell the lady what I need and ask her how much it's gonna cost me.
She asks if I bought the machine from them. I say, "yes." I'm bracing for the sticker shock, because I mean, there's no way it's gonna be any cheaper than it was last time, right?
Back comes this cheery voice ...
"Well, then there's no charge. It's free."
Free, huh? Really? Do tell. No kidding.
Okay then.
Now, how foolish do you think I feel? I fretted about this, made a big thing out of it, and let it occupy my mind for over a year ... and the test is free. FREE!
So, what does my car have to do with any of this? Well, it just so happens that I've had my eye on a light blue Lexus SUV. I mean I've been visioning this thing with serious intent for a couple of years. Every time I drove by one I'd say, "That's my car!" And every time I drove by a light blue one I'd tell the Universe, "That's my color!"
But I had no need for a car. My 2001 CVR was running like new despite its 160,000 miles.
And yet, I decided to test drive a beautiful used Jaguar that had caught my eye at a local lot just for the heck of it one Saturday. Loved the car, but I didn't need a car, much less a Jag. Still, it got me wondering if there might be a "pre-owned" Lexus nearby so I could compare the ride.
Lo and behold, there it was, sitting on the hillside at the Honda dealer with beams of heavenly light shining upon it. MY CAR ... in my color ... in perfect condition! I test-drove it. I loved it. I bargained hard for it. And I bought it! Whoa. Just like that. Done. No muss. No fuss. Now my vision is real and sitting in my garage and I love her ... Lexi.
And rather than accept a silly lowball offer on my beloved CVR from the dealer, I decided to sell her myself. The guy who showed me the Jag said he'd sell the car for a $500 commission. He got me a great price and it moved in three days. No muss. No fuss. Done. And I couldn't be happier.
Hmmm. Are you seeing the contrast here? I could have made buying the car hard. I could have not bought it at all. I could have waited for a better time. I could have shopped around neurotically trying to make sure I got the rock-bottom best deal like I usually do. But I allowed it to be easy.
I could have tried the sell the CRV through ads or contacting people I know. But I chose to make it easy.
You know, kind of like just picking up the phone and calling the people I bought the &#%@ CPAP machine from ... a year ago.
Look, we all have things we put off only to find out there was really nothing to the task and then we wonder why we didn't take care of business sooner ... why we make things harder. If you do it too, you're forgiven.
But what I really want to tell you is how absolutely great keeping it simple can be. This experience proved to me that I don't have to make it hard.
Neither do you. And that's a very good thing to keep in mind during the holiday season when it's so easy to complicate our lives.
Have a blessed, easy, and carefree holiday season and we'll talk again in the New Year!
Love,
Denise
