They really don't understand you, BUT you inspire!!

Greetings!

Yesterday at lunch I had a conversation with a co-worker about the hobbies we both pursue, and other interests we hold dear.

My friend is an avid bicycle enthusiast and goes to Moab, Utah to do some extreme mountain biking and also rides frequently around the city canyons. He could not contain the thrill he has for the sport as his words spilled over and literally seemed to take me on the red rock trails and city canyon hills with him. He lives for the adventure and makes preparing for the thrills a part of his daily life excercising and keeping in shape to be able to continue in the sport.

He asked me what my hobbies and pursuits were...and you would think that my coin collecting and blogging about the ups and downs and emotions of collecting would be pale by comparison, and if you are not a collector, you would be thinking correctly!!

As I (to his ears) droned on about how it is a thrill to me to win a coin auction, submit a coin for grading to NGC or impatiently await the coins from the Mint, I realized that the collector is a special type of person. Our thrills come in the pursuit and in winning, and the acquisition of that special piece of the collection we only DREAMED about acquiring just months before.

We are dreamers and planners, and schemers. We are generally BROKE!! as most of our fringe cash goes to the perfect collection. Our credit card statements are full of Pay Pal receipts and "US Mint" and "NGC" payments.

Our thrill is as real as any red rock bike adventure, but it is sometimes a very solitary pursuit. Nobody really "gets" us.

But, we do inspire. Our tenacity and laser beam attentiveness to history and details makes us the best employees (once again the credit card bills help in that area,too) as we are very very focused on the task at hand. I am often asked how I keep such focus, and I always attribute my focus on the lessons collecting has taught me. Seeing a collection to the fulfillment and making the collection the best you can takes a LOT of drive and time.

Your friends notice you. You are different. You are dependable. You are honest.

You are a collector.

Be proud!! Thanks for reading!!