Twinsight 20 of 50: Live Interdependently with Gratitude

A couple of weeks ago, I introduced the idea that four qualities can converge in your 50s—energy, interdependence, wisdom and humility. Four friends of mine who are age 50+ have graciously allowed me to interview them about one of these qualities. This week, I’d like to introduce you to an amazing woman, Bernice Flanagan. At age 74, she continues to work 10-hour days running her business, The General Store, in my hometown of Edinburg, North Dakota. She and my mom shared the same name and many common experiences and values, so she’s particularly dear to me.

As a business and community leader, I’m amazed at the way she lives so interdependently – really living and working in her community and beyond every day with an underlying sense of gratitude. How does she do it? Here's what she had to say.

How did you get started with your business? In 1982, my husband, Jim, our sons James (age 19) and Joe (age 9), and I were living a wonderful life in the farming community of Nash, North Dakota, when our lives changed dramatically. Jim died suddenly. I needed to quickly make decisions about where to live and how to support my boys and me. I decided to move to Edinburg and started selling World Book encyclopedias, becoming a district manager covering several counties. Everything just fell into place…it was pretty amazing. But the traveling was getting really tiring. Then in 1993, a “for sale” sign came up on the hardware store. I didn’t have any retail experience, but I knew I could learn. So I made an offer. As it turned out, three men and I became partners and bought the store. A year and a half later, the store burned to the ground but we didn’t let that stop us. Our business reopened in what was the Community Hall, a 1938 Works Progress Administration (WPA) project of the depression era. As time went on and changes came about, I eventually became the sole owner and now I get to "play store" Monday through Saturday! What I enjoy most is when a group like a Birthday Club, Red Hats group, or Senior Citizens Club books a tour and I have the opportunity to tell the history of the store, the story of the trains, show and tell them about the oxcart with its history, and let them experience the beauty and charm of our well-kept Small Town, USA.

As you've worked with people through the years, what have you learned? Throughout the year, I am always learning from customers as well as the hardware and gift market events that I attend four times a year. I've also learned that there are two vital components to making our life at the store enjoyable - coffee and fun. My helpers and I start the morning with coffee which gives us the opportunity to talk about the day in a positive, harmonious way. Coffee just always helps! I've also learned that it's important to have as much fun each day as possible. We draw customers from all over, and I love visiting with them. It seems like there's always something to laugh about. The children especially like playing with Muffin, the General Store Kitty, who always seems to get us laughing.

How have you had the courage to take risks along the way? It hasn't always been easy. My boys and I have worked very hard. And I've had to make some big decisions - like moving to Edinburg and buying the store - when I haven't known what to do. But I'm proud to say that they both graduated from college debt free. And other than losing my husband early in life, my life has been filled with many blessings as I simply trust God with each day.

  

What keeps you going? I have some quotes that sum up what I believe and how I want to live my life: 

• "I am rich in blessings. I don't have a desire to be wealthy, but I hope when it's all said and done that I have made a difference."
• "You're never poor as long as you have a dream."
• "The highest form of satisfaction in life is helping others."
• "It's such a gift to do work that you love to do, and then have that work be something that you're so proud of."
• "You make a living by what you get, you make a life by what you give. But the real secret of happiness is what you share."

What’s on the horizon for Bernice? When she turns 75 next year, she’s hoping to write a memoir. In the meantime, I'm quite confident she'll continue to learn and make a difference in others' lives.

 

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