Move ON!

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When she graduated high school, the father told his daughter: “I’m proud of you. Soon, you will move out and go your own way. I’d like to give you a going-away present. Follow me.”

The father walked to the garage and pressed a light switch the daughter had never seen before. A single light bulb lit up and revealed: Hidden in the back of the garage, there sat an old car. It was dusty, dirty, and clearly not in good shape.

Dangling a set of keys in his hand, the father smiled: “I bought this car many years ago. It is old, but now it’s yours! I only have one request: Take it to the used car lot and ask how much they’re willing to give you for it. I’d like to know.”

The daughter was happy to finally have her own car, but she wished it was a better one. With a sigh and an awkward half-smile, she took the keys and drove downtown. When she returned, she said: “They offered me $1,000, dad. They said it looks pretty rough.”

“Hmm, okay,” her father said. “Might you take it to the pawnshop instead? Just to hear what they have to say.” The daughter rolled her eyes and went off. When she came back, she said: “The pawnshop was even worse. They only wanted to pay $100 because the car is so old.”

“Okay then,” the father said, “only one last try: Please take old Nelly down to the car club, and show her to the members there.” “Old Nelly? Really, dad?” At this stage, the daughter genuinely didn’t see the point anymore, but because the car was a gift, she did as her father asked.

When she returned, the father could see the surprise on her face. “Well?” “Dad! You won’t believe this! Five people in that club offered me $100,000 on the spot! They said it’s a Nissan Skyline GTR, and every collector worth their salt would give an arm and a leg for such a rare, iconic car.”

The father merely smiled, waited for a moment, and said: “If you are not being valued, you’re just in the wrong place. Do not be angry. Do not be bitter. But do go to another place.”

“The right place with the right people will always treat you the way you deserve. Know your worth, and never settle where you’re not appreciated. Never stay where people don’t value you. Leave right away”

The daughter never sold the car, and she never forgot this lesson.

This is an excerpt from book, 2-Minute Pep Talks.