I am enjoying myself browsing the aisles in a popular art supply store and came across a sale. OH MY GOSH! Yes, I want this!!!
It was a big cake decorating kit in a tackle box and it came with a free class which is right up my alley. Knowledge, it’s a weakness of mine in many ways because I can never have too much information or take enough classes. I have never had the thought that I have reached the end of my learning. I am always seeking out input and starting new projects. The sign in the aisle said that the class started the next day and today was the last day for this thing to be on sale. So, with a sense of urgency I grab a kit and go up to the information desk where I patiently waited for what seemed like an eternity.
When the clerk came up to me to ask what I wanted, I asked how I could join the class listed on the cake-decorating aisle. She said she didn’t know and started walking in that direction. My guess was to see what information was written. I followed her until we are both looking at the sign and she tells me she doesn’t know again. Now is when I started to feel some frustration because she’s just looking at me not offering anything. I asked if there was any way she could find out and she again without skipping a beat said I don’t know how I would find out.
The sign said the class was right here literally in this store AND it said to ask a clerk for more information. I am now starting to show signs visibly on my face that I’m frustrated. I pointed out all the fine print on the sign and asked her if she was one of the clerks, I asked how I would find out the information that I needed to attend the class and if they could extend the sale if she couldn’t tell me tonight. Once again, she said she didn’t know and continued to just stare at me. She was blank and of no help. I Had no idea what to do and the frustration now forcefully slipped out of my mouth.
Let me tell you I have never ever in all my years let my mouth just be sarcastic at a stranger. I will never forget the look on her face and the punch to my gut that it gave. That punch stopped the 5-year-old child in me that wanted to come out and throw a fit. I calmed myself down
I decided to buy the kit and the worst thing that could happen is that I wouldn’t be able to take the class because it was too late or too full. I was hoping that it wasn’t a one-time class as I went ahead and paid for it. I asked if she knew what time the class started or any information about the class, and she told me she didn’t. I leave the store and as I’m driving home the fact that I had never been sarcastic hit me and I began to sob. Why did I do that? I hope I didn’t ruin her day! Gosh that were mean, and I am not a mean person.
I am about halfway home now, and I pulled over to compose myself. I decide to look up the number to the store and made the call. As the phone is ringing, I am trying to remember if I saw her name badge. Someone answers the phone and I asked her to help me figure out who helped me. It turned out to be her and I poured out my apology all the while still sobbing. I explained that I am never like that, and I didn’t know what possessed me to do it.
To make a long story short she accepted my apology, we became friends, I took the class, and this moment marks the beginning of my long pastry chef career. I taught well over 4000 people how to do cake decorating and stepped into teaching art with other mediums as well. Lightning struck in that aisle with a sign that said sale. You never know when inspiration will hit you or how it will come. It isn’t always packaged up nice and neat. I am human and make mistakes, which I try to correct.
One mistake I don’t make is not paying attention to that electrifying energy that runs through me when I’m inspired. Sometimes this energy gives me goosebumps and other times I get nauseated. Is this the reverberation of the universe whispering, do it? Is there preordained knowledge of what the outcome will be if you do it? Who knows, but I pay attention and so should you.
Cathy