I waited for his finger to pull the trigger.
I waited to watch the bullet exit the barrel in slow motion, hit the target’s face, leaving the bits and pieces of brain splattered all over mine.
Like pulp fiction. But in real life.
My mind raced forward to my reaction after this shooting would happen. I’ve always been a forward thinker like that.
Would I scream? Probably not.
Go into shock? Nah.
Pee on myself? Nope.
I simply concluded that I would do…nothing. Nothing at all.
It all started when a gun man (who’ll we’ll call “Gun Guy”) raced out of his car to confront a man who was buying a few books from me (with whom we’ll call the “Victim”).
“Gun Guy” wore one black leather glove on the hand that would pull the trigger. It was ninety-two degrees outside.
This, I concluded, could only mean trouble.
It was summertime. The block was hot. And full of people who had run far away enough to not get hit with a bullet, but close enough to watch the whole thing.
Scared, but nosey.
What a horrible combination.
It was just me, “Gun Guy,” and the “Victim.” In front of my book table. Waiting.
I couldn’t move.
Couldn’t run for cover like the others. I was too scared and nosey to do anything.
What a horrible combination.
I watched as “Gun Guy” quietly told the “Victim” why he was there. With the gun in his face. Ready for war.
While the “Victim” tried to plead his case, the ”Gun Guy” dug deep in his soul for the biggest piece of spit he could find and hauled it straight into the face of the “Victim.”
The monstrous piece of spit dangled on the “Victim’s” lip and held on for dear life. Mimicking his manhood.
Too afraid to wipe it away, the “Victim” looked at me and then held his head down, confirming what I knew all along: that if he made it out of here alive, he couldn’t come back to the hood ever again.
Satisfied with murdering “Victims” pride, the ”Gun Guy” said his final remarks and walked back to his car and drove away.
Ten minutes didn’t go by for things to go back to normal and I was back to selling my books.
My mind darted back to the week before when they found my homeless friend who used to insist on acting as my security, murdered just a few feet away from where I sold my books at.
Though things got crazy around there once and a while, I never considered selling my books anywhere else. This was easy money. I had hit jack pot.
Just when I thought my amusement for the day had ended, “Gun Guy” returned, riding down the street. In slow motion. With the gloved hand hanging out the window. With the gun in hand. Amusing himself. And scaring the shit out of us.
Everyone, including some new customers I had, ran for cover.
He did this imaginary drive by for a while. Six times to be exact. And I had simply had enough.
When I wake up everyday, I have a goal and back then it was to bring home two hundred dollars a day in book sales.
The ”Gun Guy” was messing up my money. The Carolina heat had me melting away. And I was pissed.
As he coasted at a speed of five miles per hour, taunting the crowd again with his intimidation tactics, I politely jogged to the car, cleared my throat and said, “Do you mind? I’m trying to sell my books in this hot ass heat and you’re scaring the shit out of my customers, so can you find and kill the “Victim” on another day please?”
He laughed.
I rolled my eyes.
He pulled his arm back in the car. Took off his glove. Reached in his pocket and handed me five one hundred dollar bills.
“My bad shawty,” was all he said as he drove off.
We never saw him again. That day.
BUT TIPH, WHAT’S THE POINT?
Well, other than the fact that it was funny to relive, the lesson is simple:
Ask for what you want.
History has proved time and time again that people have received opportunities and riches, simply by asking for them, but asking (which is a VERY powerful tool for success) is something that most people are afraid to do.
If you’re a person who avoids asking for what you want (or need) because you don’t want to look like you need the help, don’t want to look stupid, or you don’t want to be…REJECTED I have a couple tips for you.
Tiph Tip #1- Don’t assume that you’re going to get a no. Ask as if you expect a yes.
There were over sixty people, mostly men, standing outside that day and it took me, a one hundred and fifteen pound girl to make the man with the gun go away AND I received a five hundred dollar bonus for my pain and suffering. I took a risk and in that brief second, visualized getting exactly what I wanted. My peace of mind back.
Tiph Tip #2- Don’t give up.
Be persistant. There will be times when you’ll be rejected and it’ll hurt like hell, but never give up. Asking for what you want is really just a numbers game.
Is there something in your life that seems so impossible that you think you need to do more than just ask…think again. Whether you’re looking for a raise, a better relationship, new clients, a job, a vacation, help with the kids, etc. JUST ASK!
This week I want you to ask three questions to the people who have the ability to make it happen. This means if you have a problem with your boyfriend, you’re going to ask the boyfriend for a resolution. Not your friends.
Same for your business. If you want more clients, you’re going to send emails out this week asking your old clients for referrals.
Ask for what you want BOLDLY or spend the rest of your life running in fear.
The choice to live a better life has always been yours.
Choose wisely.
Because I want you to believe in yourself.
HARDER than you ever thought possible.
xoox
Tiph
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