BOOGALOO DOWN BROADWAY
I hung the “Boogaloo Down Broadway” felt poster on my bedroom wall with swelling pride, just perpendicular to my oldest brother’s Easy Rider poster that matched the red, white, and blue, gas tank of his Harley…
It was a fundraiser to help pay for our upcoming eighth grade graduation costs, and we were the willing pawns in the pioneer days of bothersome kids’ peddling magazines for the publishing giants in hopes of a few scraps off their grand table.
Eric and I devised a plan, which always starts at home. Our ambitions were greatly stunted by the fact that I think he got his mom to pop for one magazine and I got skunked at my house.
Some of the other kids parents bought magazines-o-plenty to stock their offices which the school kept us abreast of bi-weekly via the PA system. Between school and basketball practice, we hit the tiny downtown area that was a stone’s throw from the junior high school campus. Something magical happened, we learned that you have to ask… While the biggest percentage of folks said no, some did indeed say yes.
We worked daily like rented mules peddling magazines to anyone who’d listen to us. It wasn’t too long and Eric and I had crawled our way into third place, but we wanted more. We worked harder and longer and within another week or so with time ticking away we scratched our way into second place. While that felt good, we were determined to push to the last and make a run at the top spot and take home the spoils of victory.
With swarms of kids trying to sell magazines in the small town, it didn’t take long to fish the small pond out. It began to look bleak for us. Although we’d fought the gallant fight, the number of subscriptions needed to surpass the current leader was out of reach.
The one thing I’ll give Eric and I credit for is being determined to fight to the end… That was when we discovered the magic of the crafty human heart. The owner of the establishment that had taken the time to hear our sales pitch turned us down flat, “No – I don’t need any more magazines,” he said almost with pleasure. Without a thought in my head, the words popped out of my mouth, “Would you like to make a donation?” He paused, nodded, reached into his wallet, and handed me a five dollar bill.
If there was ever a time in my life when the sky busted open, golden light fell upon me while an orchestra played, accompanied by high pitched opera voices singing “AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!” in unison, that was it. And that changed everything.
Of course, we justified it by gathering enough scads of cash to buy magazines for our family, chalking it up to the bottom line of pushing print. It didn’t take long to bend the ethical lines even further by reasoning that as hard as we were working a bit of the free cash should be used to feed our growling stomachs pizza and soda.
When the final number of subscriptions sold were tallied Eric and I had beat the competition by a large margin. It would be years before the cheap prizes given to us for our shallow victory would come to haunt me. For a time, they made me proud to have won by outsmarting the system and competition.
Being willing to be more dishonorable and being ready to do anything to win is something that this world celebrates. At least the people without honor. The yellow AM radio and the felt poster of a gangster looking cartoon character that read, “Boogaloo Down Broadway” said a lot about who I was at the time, but even more so after they hit the bottom of the trash can.
Sunday, January 26, 2014 @ 6:34 pm
For the sake of my grandchildren, I have ordered magazines that I did not want and probably never read. The same goes for Girl Scout cookies and candy the schools hope to made money on. Yes, those prizes the kids receive are shallow but the victory in winning is often worth it prize or no prize. Thanks Floyd for a look back into the past.
Monday, January 27, 2014 @ 10:12 am
I cringe when the kids have to sell stuff for school. I get it, but I’m like you, I never want or need it. I’m also a softy for the ones that come knocking on the door. It’s not easy for kids to do that and I think it’s good for them. Thanks, Hazel. At least I’m not alone!
Monday, January 27, 2014 @ 1:11 am
Oh the fund-raisers! Ugh! You buy from my kid, I’ll buy from yours. Yeah, it’s a worthy cause – most of the time – but I only have a limited amount of funds to contribute to all these fund-raisers and there are way more kids than there are extra funds!. We had a neighbor play a trump card last year reminding us that he supported our son a few years back and he was calling in the favor (his son is a few years younger than my older son). He was right of course, we contributed but still …
There have been a few times over the years that I just offered a donation because I didn’t need the wares they were peddling. I guess I just need to remember I can’t take it with me anyway. Thanks for keeping me humble, Floyd.
Monday, January 27, 2014 @ 10:15 am
It is a nightmare! And ahhh the paybacks! At some point I’m like you; I have to tap out because the wallet’s empty! Humility is good, David. Iron sharpens iron, brother. Thank you!
Monday, January 27, 2014 @ 3:35 am
Fooling ourselves is easier than fooling anyone else because we are so willing to be duped when it comes to sins that seem to “benefit” us. So glad you are no longer “subscribing” to the thinking of this world, Floyd. Blessings, my friend!
Monday, January 27, 2014 @ 10:17 am
That reference to “subscribing” is clever, Pam! Gotta love it! It is so easy to justify our actions in this life, and it seems like a habit that once it takes hold won’t let go. I have to remind myself to not make excuses for my shortcomings. Nothing is gained in that and God is not honored. Well said, blessings to you and yours as well, Pam. Thanks.
Monday, January 27, 2014 @ 5:18 am
The funny thing is you probably could have just straight up donated the money to the graduation and that would have been appreciated more than a bunch of magazine subscriptions. Why do we fear honesty sometimes?
Monday, January 27, 2014 @ 10:28 am
You’re right, Loren. For me, I wanted to win. A bad habit that’s chased me around the better part of my life. Being honest about it seems to sting a bit I guess. It just did for me! There is no wisdom until we lay down the pride and embrace humility. Not an easy thing either. Thanks for making me ponder these things, Loren.
Monday, January 27, 2014 @ 7:56 am
I always hated having to sell things as a child. (I still do, ha). So I’ve never won the big prize, but I do understand the lure of competition in general and wanting to win. It is something I’ve had to learn to keep it in check, often the hard way.
I had a blue AM radio that I ordered with Kool-Aid wrappers (if my memory is correct). Loved it. 🙂
Monday, January 27, 2014 @ 10:31 am
You’re not alone, Lisa. The “lure” is right. It always promises more than it delivers. I loved my old transistor radios too! It was pretty primitive by today’s standards, but with having less, that seemed like so much more! Thanks, Lisa.
Monday, January 27, 2014 @ 1:53 pm
Amazing how far we go to get ahead and how little it takes for us to compromise to make that happen.
Monday, January 27, 2014 @ 8:27 pm
For sure, Bill. It’s shamefully easy far too often. I’m not proud of a lot I’ve done, I just need to remember so I don’t fall for the same weakness in the flesh. Thanks, Bill.
Monday, January 27, 2014 @ 3:05 pm
I don’t ever remember doing a fundraiser and my children have never done one either. I have, though, supported those especially the girl guides and the boy scouts. The look on those kids faces just melt my heart, how could one not give.
Blessings brother.
Monday, January 27, 2014 @ 8:30 pm
I swear I’ve heard “no” so often in life that it has helped me in business through out my life. I’m with you though, I’m a soft touch, probably because I know what it’s like to knock and ask. Blessings to you as well, sister.
Monday, January 27, 2014 @ 3:44 pm
Ah, fundraisers! Someone just recently told me the trick of just donating money when you don’t really need what they’re selling. That is such a great idea and it also costs less! But I can easily see how your minds worked, justifying the spending of it on pizza and soda. A good lesson, even if it was learned after the fact!
Monday, January 27, 2014 @ 8:32 pm
For sure, Barb. I even had one guy ask if the donations were tax deductible, I tole him, “Sure!” and wrote him out a receipt on a plain piece of paper… Some kids… My mom and dad would have been shocked and hurt at the time. Lessons are good when we learn from them. Thanks, Barb.
Monday, January 27, 2014 @ 5:06 pm
Memories of those early Sat mornings we would drop off the teen in neighbors to sell Krispy Kreme donuts to raise money for camp. EVERYONE LOVES DONUTS, especially on a Sat morning with the coffee smell all through the house. Glad my days are over but do appreciate all those who helped and we try to help when we can. I am not sure though who learns the most, the kids about working for their money, the parents or youth pastor who has to have patience when a teen eats the profits. I am not a winner of any kind of raffle, contest and even the lottery. I don’t have luck… so I don’t try to win anymore, I do try to be a good steward of what I do have and so sometimes I have to say no to those sweet little kids knocking on my door. Grateful I don’t have to sell x amount of donuts to get into heaven. Good post brother.
Monday, January 27, 2014 @ 8:35 pm
Good call on the quota of our works to get into heaven, Betty! Wise words, sister. The fundraisers are a tough job for all involved and the ones that supply the products are the real winners in those deals. We’re all called to be good stewards, can’t say I’ve always been, but I’ve learned a lot along the way. Thanks, Betty.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014 @ 7:53 am
If there is one thing I’m not, and never have been, it’s a salesperson. I was painfully shy, and I still cringe remembering ringing a doorbell with something to sell, which only happened like twice when I was in school. You were way too clever for your own well-being Floyd. 🙂 So glad the Lord got a hold of you and taught you his principles of winning! Having Him makes us all winners for sure.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014 @ 5:34 pm
Amen, Betty Jo. I didn’t like doing it either, but like everything else, once you get used to it, those issues melt a bit. All have been invited to be winners, too bad they choose otherwise… Thanks, Betty Jo.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014 @ 10:27 am
Another great story…ohhh how I dreaded those fundraisers…shyness coupled with insecurity hindered any hope of success in sales or marketing, both in my youth and as an adult. Blessings friend.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014 @ 5:38 pm
I think it didn’t matter to me as much as others because for one, I had my buddy Eric with me, and two, I just literally had nothing to lose. Sometimes that seems to be the easiest place to start from. The Bob Dylan lyrics just popped into my head, “When you ain’t got nothin’- you got nothin’ ta lose…” I can say your words are from the heart and bold before the world, sister! That’s where it really counts. Thanks, Donna.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014 @ 10:32 am
Those are character-building moments for sure. We make those decisions and sometimes we recognize them as wrong and others not. The tests never seem to get easier though, do they? You get through one and there’s another more subtle test down the line! Makes me ever thankful for forgiveness and grace and that He points out to us these things (like you said here, sometimes even years later) so we don’t walk in that shadow. Thanks Floyd.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014 @ 5:40 pm
The tests do get more complicated as we knit together a more complicated life. Thankful for His grace and mercy that lead to wisdom. The only shadow I want is the shadow of his wings. Thanks, Jason.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014 @ 11:43 am
As I read your post I kept thinking of the phrase I’ve often lived by, “Work smarter, not harder”.
That’s not always a bad thing.
We all have limited time. We must learn to multitask, to not waste resources, to prioritize.
But like you said, we can’t let working “smarter” lead us down the path of compromising our integrity or bending the rules.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014 @ 5:41 pm
Amen, TC. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear a story like this from you! At least I know you’re not gonna point fingers! Good word, TC. Thanks.
Thursday, January 30, 2014 @ 10:32 am
No finger pointing here! I have way too many fingers to point at myself!!
Friday, January 31, 2014 @ 9:48 am
I hear you! It’s like shooting an arrow into a hurricane!
Tuesday, January 28, 2014 @ 7:18 pm
Hi Floyd! Well, I guess you have shown us all how we can change. When we were children, we thought, reasoned and acted like children. But we’re adults now, and so you have found a new reality. I know you are sad about how you acted, but that’s evidence of growth on your part.
I know that we can all think of people who never made that leap. You have, and isn’t that God’s grace at work?
I can’t help but smile at the poster though. Bugaloo Down Broadway…that’s a blast from the past!
For me, this was a wonderful example of the power of the Spirit, and how you allowed that power in. Beautiful!
Ceil
Wednesday, January 29, 2014 @ 10:29 am
It is all about His grace. Good call, Ceil. The older I get the more I see… even with eyes fading. Seeing with the eyes of our Father is truly seeing. Thanks, Ceil. That goofy poster had a felt type finish that lit up under a black light… another blast from the past!
Tuesday, January 28, 2014 @ 9:39 pm
Yes, I remember those magazine sales too. I never had the desire to participate. It’s amazing how little things like that can come back to us years later. I remember once when I was in 7th grade and cheated on my math test, probably the only time in my life I had done something like that. Somehow my Math teacher found out. He chewed me out in front of my classmates but never said anything to my parents. I just told my parents about that event nearly 25 years later!
Wednesday, January 29, 2014 @ 10:31 am
I love those type of real stories! We learn so much from them! That was a good teacher, he or she showed you respect to learn on your own and man up to be the right type of person. The past doesn’t go away or change, only our perspectives and life can do that. Thanks, Caleb.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014 @ 11:41 pm
Floyd,
Argh, magazine sales…actually sales of any kind…interesting how our conscience pricks us, and thankfully, in Christ, it is all forgiven and it sounds like you learned a valuable lesson if I am reading your post correctly 🙂
Wednesday, January 29, 2014 @ 10:32 am
Unfortunately I’ve learned the same lessons over and over in life. Winning isn’t what matters, it’s running the race with honor… I’m just a slow learner and if it were a race I’d be bringing up the rear! Thanks, Dolly.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014 @ 6:53 pm
Hi Floyd,
Your creativity and perseverance paid off. It’s amazing what we can do if we rethink how we are doing things. Your story is a perfect example of how we can change things up to earn more money or move closer toward our dreams. Great post!
Thursday, January 30, 2014 @ 9:53 am
I guess it was a tough way of learning how to think outside the box. It’s amazing how our Father can use our failures to make us better. Thanks, Dan.
Thursday, January 30, 2014 @ 3:02 pm
Those summer jobs and learning experiences. 🙂 It pops up memories of my own early summer years. I used to sell cards, and other gadgets, riding across dusty rural roads on my bike. Fun.
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Friday, January 31, 2014 @ 9:49 am
Funny – the things we did… Memories bring wisdom if we look for it! Thanks, Jennifer.
Sunday, February 9, 2014 @ 6:13 pm
8th graders are a challenge and being challenged. And, seeing the magazine issues still happens around over and over again. I try to be nice, but I can’t get the magazines any more… and, occasionally, will just donate a few bucks. But, as I said, that age-range is tough to be in and tough for the family around and about. And you ain’t a young un any more and you’re watcher/spiritual “fighter” and battling the game from the Lord.
Bless you…and now I’ll shut up and go away. But at least I finally caught up with you. Whew!
Sunday, February 9, 2014 @ 7:03 pm
I don’t like it when you “shut up”! You have a way of making me smile… That’s a great gift, sister. Thanks for sharing it with me… Bless you and Dave.