I am Me.

I am me.
I am a mother, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a niece, a cousin, a friend.
I am me.
I am an innocent little girl, a curious teenager, a responsible adult.
I am me.
I am a Christian woman, a lover of people and a respecter of life.
I am me.
I am a student of the world, learning and growing each day from all I engage with…people and things.
I am me.
I am a sinner, seeking forgiveness and the grace to become a better person.
I am me.
I am a product of my past and my present…always moving forward to the me I will become. I cannot be less than “the me” I am. When society asks me to extract the Christian me and leave that at the door of the workplace, leave it off of Social Media, keep it out of any social engagement, they are asking me to not be “whole”. When my friends say do not mix religion with business, are they fearful of authenticity? Do they want a “masked me” to report to work, to post in various SM platforms, to go to cocktail parties? I cannot be less than who I am as I would then not be true to myself. I am a Christian… a lover of God…a believer. For years I have struggled with the split of spirituality and the secular world. With enormous effort, I have worked to interweave the threads of my life as a striving businessperson, a loving mother, a devoted daughter, a faith-sharing catechist, a fun-loving friend to all come together creating a beautiful tapestry of the true me. It is not easy. There are many hurdles and most come from people you love and care about who do not want you to always be you.
I love the car business! The car business has not and still does not enjoy a label as one of the most integrity supported industries. Perhaps this is because the purchasing methods associated with car buying, using negotiation to attain the “best deal” has left the consumer always uncertain and guessing…”Did they indeed get the “best deal”? The skill of negotiation is an art form which really is performed with a lot of little lies being told by both parties… Okay, I said it! However, the majority of car dealers today are caring and compassionate people whose true mission is to serve their clients, providing them with products and service which satisfy their needs and requirements.
I recently created the Facebook group called, Christianity and the Car Business. Some of my “car guy” friends were not supportive of this. I am now involved with a Christian-based Automotive conference, “How to Run Your Dealership by THE BOOK , (meaning the bible). Some fear this. The fact is… everything you need to know to live your life…to become your true self, is found in the bible. The bible will teach you, will guide you, and remain relevant to you even in these days when technology seems to drive our every being. I believe in this conference. As I said before, I cannot allow others to ask me to be less than I am.
I am a sinner who remains hopeful because I know our God is a forgiving God.
I am a doubter who remains faithful because I know our God is a merciful God.
I am a hater at times, who strives to love everyone because I know our God is a loving God.
I am angry, sad, anxious and scared…but I keep on smiling because I know our God is a compassionate God.
I am me. I am a work in process, daily enriched by God’s grace and just aspiring to be “the me” God intended me to be.

14 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Craig Lockerd on February 26, 2013 at 7:03pm

I love this Nancy

Permalink Reply by Mike theCarGuy Correra on February 26, 2013 at 7:55pm

Awesome Nancy, just Awesome. :)

Permalink Reply by Marty Raymond on February 26, 2013 at 11:32pm

You are a gifted writer and your thoughts were inspiring Nancy...

Permalink Reply by NANCY SIMMONS on February 26, 2013 at 11:40pm

Thank you so much Gentlemen!!!

Permalink Reply by Ernie Kasprowicz on February 27, 2013 at 10:27am

Nancy, you have written with love and openness in an effort to advance the automotive industry.

"I am a product of my past and my present…always moving forward to the me I will become".

Shouldn't we all aspire to do the same?

Permalink Reply by NANCY SIMMONS on February 28, 2013 at 10:52pm

Thanks Ernie... I am only speaking the truth!

Permalink Reply by Marsh Buice on February 27, 2013 at 4:41pm

Beautifully, boldly written Nancy!!

Permalink Reply by NANCY SIMMONS on February 28, 2013 at 10:54pm

Appreciate your kind words, Marsh... As I get older, I find I am more honest with my writings! Thanks again!

Permalink Reply by Marsh Buice on February 28, 2013 at 11:02pm

As wine ages, the flavors become bolder. Bolder-more powerful, more insightful, ma'am... not older.

Permalink Reply by Sally Whitesell on March 2, 2013 at 4:40pm

Beautiful!

Permalink Reply by Ric McCoy on March 3, 2013 at 6:09pm

And all God's people said... AMEN! Nancy, I can relate in so many ways. Most of us could simply replace a few words, and this is our exact story as well. Beautiful and Inspiring. Thank you for opening your heart and sharing with us.!

Permalink Reply by Bobby Compton on March 7, 2013 at 10:43pm

YOU ARE THE BEST NANCY SIMMONS I KNOW AND THAT IS ME WHO RESPECTS AND APPRECIATES EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU.

EXCELLENT DISPLAY OF WHO YOU ARE, ALL HEART AND ALL THE RESPECT IN THE WORLD FOR YOU!~

NANCY - YOU ARE AS GOD SERVING AS I HAVE EVER HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF KNOWING.

THANKS FOR BEING YOU..................................................................