Rattoon

"Good morning, Mr. Samson! How has your morning gone so far? Glad to see you at your normal time, as always I have some fresh hot morning fuel in the coffee pot!"

"Good morning Jarred! My morning is growing in love and fading with time."

For some reason, Mr. Samson has always had something witty and profound to say every time we spoke. I work the graveyard shift, at our local gas station for the past two years. Ever since my third month being employed, Mr. Samson has been showing up at exactly 5 AM every morning. He strolls in to grab a hot coffee and the local newspaper. Then says something clever and sometimes in humor. Next, he seats himself to his favorite chair by the TV showing local news. Many times, I’ve offered to change the channel but he sternly refuses, which I don’t understand because he hardly looks at the screen anyway.

Until one morning, I curiously asked why he enjoyed listening and not watching the news. What he said next threw me for a loop.

He said, “I find it quite comical to witness the reactions of others listening and being sold on nonsense.”

Is it me? I asked him if it was my reaction he was referring to, he didn’t answer but started asking questions instead.

His first question was “Do you know what your mind is capable of?”

After analyzing his question, I responded, “I know there are smart kids out there but I don’t think I’m one of them. Honestly, I’m just trying to survive.”

He paused, seemed as if my response was carefully observed. He jumped right into the next question.

I started feeling flustered because I couldn’t tell if he was just getting a rise out of me by not answering my question. However, I do know him to be a wise man who often wore his sophisticated outfits neatly pressed. Why not tune into what this wealthy man has to share and pick up some of his wisdom?

He goes “Son, what is that you want to be?”

I looked to the side of his shoulder to avoid direct eye contact because I haven’t figured that out yet.

Without an answer to give, he said “look here Jarred, ask yourself this: Do you know your life purpose?”

Since I have been asking myself that very question all my life, I had no solid answer for that.

Utter silence, then I caught a deep breath, “Mr. Samson, I’ve had a rough life so far and therefore, not sure how to answer you. I’ll share with you what I do know. My passion is to help people but I also feel I have nothing significant going on in my life.”

He then finished his coffee, stood up, and handed me his contact information.

What he said next made me wondered if he was wise or truly off his rocker.

He looked straight at my eyes, “are you tired of living in the never-ending 3D spiral you call, life? In the past twenty-two months, I have gotten to know you as a person and your character. You’re a good kid that truly cares about people, you have a true spirit of giving. Here's my contact information. Call me when you are tired of your hardships in life and ready to change your perception.”

He shook my hand firmly and left. I ended my shift for the day and walked home.

At that time, I lived in a one-bedroom apartment down the road from work. For the past two years, I would walk back and forth to work. On my walk home, I thought about everything Mr. Samson had said to me earlier that day. In all the time knowing Mr. Samson, that morning felt different than all the other days. He never really provoked my mind in a way I could hardly tell if he was poking fun at me or that he genuinely cared for me. Reflecting on the positive mindset of Mr. Samson, I concluded that he meant well.

The next morning at 4:57 AM, I awaited my encounter with Mr. Samson, wondering what the topic of the day could be. However, at 5:00 AM, it was just another customer looking to purchase fuel. While I set the gas pump for the customer’s prepaid, it felt strange, where was Mr.Samson?

Days passed by and no signs of Mr. Samson. I became very worried about him. While sitting at home, I remembered he had given me his contact information but where did I place it? I must admit, as a single young man, I didn’t have the cleanliest of homes, to say the least. Take-out boxes and piles of worn clothes scattered across my floor, it felt impossible to locate that piece of paper. Then it occurred to me, it was on the nightstand next to my bed. A crinkled-up piece of paper waiting to be unraveled and reveal the information needed to contact Mr. Samson. As I pondered if I should call him, I reflect on the conversation we had last. It felt as if he knew I was tired of the same ole hardships in life but what could this old man do? I decided not to call. I felt that I would see him in the morning but to my surprise, Mr. Samson did not show yet again.

A whole week has gone by already! Something was up and I was determined to find out what!? Right after work, I called Mr. Samson hoping he was okay.

Instantly, he picked up, “Hello Mr. Samson— it’s Jarred just calling to check up on you, I haven’t seen you in a while."

Immediately, he asked, “ Are you tired of your hardships yet?”

Took me a bit by surprise but I answered, “of course sir, what’s this about?”

He then said “Jarred, do you trust me?”

As I have recollected, I have no doubt I wouldn’t trust him. I answered, “of course sir!”

He then said “Jared, I would like you to quit your job and come work for me.”

I was astonished by what he had just asked of me but I couldn’t resist. I asked him, “what is the job?”

He said, “ Jarred, this job I am offering to you doesn’t typically happen every day. Do you trust me enough to quit your job?”

I mumbled for a moment before blurting out my financial responsibilities. I recovered and told Mr. Samson I need to put in my two weeks notice first. I stopped to wait for his response, it was complete silence. I may have surprised the old man with what I’ve said or maybe that wasn’t what he was hoping to hear?

Then he said, “Jarred, you have made two great decisions simultaneously, I’ll see you in two weeks!” Before I knew it, he had hung up.

Two days before the two weeks notice had gone by, I decided to call Mr. Samson again.

He answered in a loud cheerful voice, “Jarred—are you excited about your new job?”

I still do not know what the job entails, but excitedly answered, “Yes sir, you bet! Just two more days!”

Then he said, “Jarred, on your last day of work, say goodbye to your old life and hello to the new. I’m going to teach you to read The Little Black Book!”

Right after I heard him say that, I knew this old man was nuts but it was too late to back out. I had already made the jump, maybe I’m the one who is nuts?

“Jarred?”

I answered, “Yes sir?”

He said, “send me your address, I’ll be picking you up for your first day at 5 AM.

At this point, I didn’t know either to be excited or terrified but I went with it.

That very morning came and at exactly 5 AM, Mr. Samson was waiting for me right outside my apartment. After climbing into his truck, I began to dwell on what The Little Black Book was or much less how much I will get paid.

Before I could ask, it was as if he read my mind, “Jarred, do not worry about money. I’ve asked for you to trust me and by showing up, you’re doing just that. For the next three months, I will be covering all of your expenses including meals. I want you to promise me you will focus and do exactly what I ask. In doing so, you will be able to read The Little Black Book and hopefully, pursue your passion— that is you’ve mentioned helping others."

Then we pulled into his grand driveway to a big and beautiful French Normandy home built with stone walls and high pitch roofing. As we walked through the double amber wood entry doors, I had this intense feeling in my heart pounding with amazement. I knew if I do as I am told, I too could own something of this magnitude. He then led me into his study, sat down in a big comfy leather seat, and asked me to join him in the other chair.

Then he said “Jarred, for the next three months, please refrain from asking what I do for a living. Time spent here will be focused on you and your goals in life. I would like you to begin by reading some books I have prepared for you. Here are the following books: Think and Grow Rich, Rich Dad Poor Dad, Master of Your Mind. Just to name a few I see laying on this coffee table.”

I responded, “Mr. Samson, so you mean to tell me, my job is to read books?”

He replied, “Yes. I would like you to explain to me what The Little Black Book is and how to use it in three months. In return, I’ll personally hand you twenty thousand dollars.”

I was shaken, I didn’t know what to say but I promised him I’d do my very best!

Days turn to weeks, weeks turn to months and I soon felt my paradigm began to shift in my mind. Even though this was a good thing, my timeline was running thin. In the blink of an eye, my last week had come. Then suddenly, like a light, my mind lit up in my head. I felt I had figured The Little Black Book out. I then proceeded to see if I was right.

“Mr. Samson, I think I have figured out what The Little Black Book is or well, what it represents.”

“Go on,” said Mr. Samson.

"Since I’ve been reading and studying the material you have provided me, I realized I’ve been focusing a lot more on my every thought. To me, The Little Black Book represents my consciousness.”

“Precisely, now close your eyes,” he said. “Jarred, what do you see?”

“ Well, blackness, sir,” I responded.

“Correct. Now envision what it is you want in life, read it like a book and pursue it with all your will inside. Believe your vision to be true and you will begin to see your life change right before your very eyes. As promised twenty thousand dollars is now yours, what do you plan to do with it?”

"I now believe in myself and my capabilities. I would like to keep you as a mentor if that's okay with you. Now, it's time to write a book and composed the knowledge you have bestowed upon me. Thank you, Mr. Samson. Thank you, my friend!"