First, let me just say that change, no matter how small, can tend to be difficult. With that in mind, my recent experience with a friendship ending in shattered pieces, you can imagine how nervous and upset I was when I had to tell a very good friend of mine that I would no long be doing The Pampered Chef. She not only is a good friend she was also my Director and the woman who recruited me to The Pampered Chef. Thankfully not all people come with the same state of mind or the same thoughts in life. Here is the story....
March 31, I hosted a show for Paparazzi $5 Jewelry. My consultant came, she set up, she sat there and we talked while my Husband (yes, my husband) looked at everything. I met my consultant at a fundraiser for a preschool and her table was the ONLY table who had a line. I told this to my Husband and his eyes lit up like firecrackers. She explained that she had only been doing this since December of last year and in 4 months was making a profit. She had over 200 pieces and was able to restock her inventory, make her displays, and earn money for herself as well.
No this isn't a sales pitch......
My Husband jumped on the idea and told me we should do this. I agreed but my loyalties to my friend and Director with The Pampered Chef made me nervous. I hmm'd and haa'd for a while and then I asked how to join up. She told me and then on the 5th of April I joined. I got my kit a few days after that and was amazed! The jewelry was amazing and I was so excited I danced for 2 days. Later that week I set out my inventory and made $65 in 3 hours! I was STUNNED to say the least. I then realized I needed to do some thinking. Paparazzi was giving me so much confidence that I almost forgot about The Pampered Chef. Then I would log on line and see my friend and Director. My stomach would plummet and I would feel guilty. So for the rest of the month, I weighed the pro's and con's and finally came to the conclusion that The Pampered Chef was not for me. Taking a deep breath, I emailed my friend and asked her to meet with me.
The day of the meeting, I couldn't eat anything. I was consumed by guilt and fear. I drove to the meeting slowly (thought I was going to be early) but then got a text from her saying she was there. Oh boy did my heart flip and my stomach naught up. I sped up so that I wouldn't be late (made it with 4 mins to spare). I got there and she greeted me with that brilliant smile of hers. I asked her how she was and she said she was fine. Then she asked me how I was doing. I didn't want to answer her because I knew if I did I would have to explain myself and I wasn't sure I could. Finally biting the bullet I told her I was nervous. Her next question was an obvious one. She asked why. And I told her. I had to quit The Pampered Chef.
What she said next floored me. She explained that she figured it was going to happen but she wouldn't let business ruin our friendship because my friendship meant more to her then making money from me. She told me how happy she was that I found what made me happy and what worked. She explained that she can always rebuild again and that she completely understood. After that we chatted like friends. The whole time I kept wanting to explain my reasons but I knew I didn't have to use all the excuses I had made. Never once did she make me feel like I was wrong. She actually was happy. I was stunned then and I am still stunned now as I write.
The point of this whole story is this: Even if you have a very bad instance with one friend, it doesn't always mean that someone else is going to react that way. I am so thankful that we aren't cookie cutter people and that we are all diverse in our actions and reactions.
Thanks for reading,
The "Green" Army wife!
P.S. Green tip: You know all that food, leaves, shells, and coffee or tea you have laying around or dumping in the trash? You wanna make it worth something? Help build yourself a beautiful garden with a composting bucket from any of your local hardware store! Composting isn't just for Hippies anymore!
