Pep Talk: "Priceless Rewards Produced"

Have you ever had a moment in life warming marrow with significance? Sure, we all have, right? It might be winning a championship, getting married, the birth of a child or achieving a professional goal. Landscapes on this journey we call life forever burned into brain - good and bad.

Those of you - thanks by the way - who frequent Pep Talk know one of the core beliefs suggested is to never grow weary - you and me - of doing good things for each other. Trust me, this thought is no revelation from a simple dude from Missouri - darn it. It’s there for everyone to see within the best-selling book ever, the Bible. Yep, right there in Galatians, sixth chapter, ninth verse for those scoring at home.

Anyway, trying like heck to “do good for others” has always seemed a good idea, at least personally, for what it can manifest in our lives. Ya know, that ol’ “Law of Circulation” mumbo jumbo. Well, if you believe in that, here’s a recent example:

It was an early Thursday morning. Good sweat behind and busy day ahead as I turned the key to start the car. Immediate code red. The ten-year-old Audi A6 was running just fine an hour before on trip to gym, but now it’s coughing, smoking and decomposing before startled eyes. One of those, “What the heck is going on around here?” moments.

I had to fetch daughter and let her drive me to school - she has a learner’s permit and drives well - with the volleyball standout wondering, “Dad, what’s wrong with your car? Is it going to blow up?” Lights on the dashboard were flashing “Check Engine!” as precious princess, glad to be alive, exits car quickly upon school arrival. I jump into the driver’s seat and sputter toward a neighborhood gas and service station. Buddies there take care of the car’s general well being. By the way, the boys at Circle Conoco near Denver’s Congress Park neighborhood, now have a new nickname for your humble correspondent: “Smoky.”

The news was not good. “Mark, you can’t drive that car.” What to do? This is where taht “what goes around comes around” belief, just my opinion, began to rear its beautiful head. A quick call to neighbor delivers car about 15 minutes later. New wheels in minutes! I’d love to promote a business promising that sometime on Mac and Doog! Then it got better.

Despite having new wheels and rolling toward appointments, the grave condition of beloved transportation device was sobering: defective ignition coils and possible catalytic converter issues. The repair bill, estimated to approach $5,000. I know the darn car’s probably not worth that amount. In addition, hey, full disclosure here. on summer mornings in the Centennial State I love to write from a spot jokingly called Poor Man’s Porch. Budgets are tight at Victory Productions.

While driving back to the office I remember a direct mail piece received about three weeks ago. It advertised a Denver-area repair shop specializing in repairs to Audi and VW’s. Honestly, I had kept the marketing piece with the thoughts the company might be a good client of our afternoon show on Mile High Sports Radio. I grabbed the card, dialed the number in search of hope. I found it.

A friendly guy named Ryan answered the phone. He listens intently to the explanation of predicament and offered: “Mark, the first thing you should do is call Audi, give them your vehicle identification number and see if there are any open recalls on your car. I think there might be an open recall on your car for ignition coils.”

This dude was sharp and helpful. Hope, as prevailing spirit, had replaced despair. A quick call to Audi confirms the manna from heaven. There is a recall and repairs are FREE! Things started moving quickly after that: tow truck summoned - Audi paid for it too - repairs completed, car returned the next day. Order restored.

In saying a quick prayer of thanks cranium immediately went to the “never grow weary of doing good for others” suggestion and, at least for me, its great value. Let’s see here: Car coughs and snorts to a stop; neighbor swoops by and provides transportation; knowledgeable repair man offers solution. Repair bill goes from Mach 5 to zero real fast. I am grateful.

Did a personal dedication, despite falling short too often, to “never growing weary of doing good for others” have anything to do with this good fortune? I know there will be others - buddy who’s the hubby of the wonderful neighbor one of them - who will suggest, “Mac, it’s just a random act.” I choose to believe differently. What about you?

This week do good for others. I know, simple, not easy. But the effort often produces priceless rewards when we least expect it!