Rebel Talk: $150 Investment?

There we were, pumped up and ready to make it happen. My girlfriend and I decided to snag tickets to the Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers game for today—an experience we were sure would be energizing. But the world had other plans, and not in the way we imagined.

You see, the ticket-buying process wasn’t as smooth as we hoped. Scammers are lurking everywhere these days, and unfortunately, we crossed paths with them. After finding what we thought was a reliable seller, we forked over $150 (for one ticket to test the seller), only to realize we’d been duped. The ticket seller wasn't real wasn't real, and just like that, our plans dissolved. Frustration? Oh, it was real. But then came the reminder: sometimes the universe has its own game plan.

Instead of sitting in the stadium cheering on the Vikings, we found ourselves cheering even louder for her son’s hockey team. Her son plays hockey, and the tournament this weekend had been building up to something special. Game after game, those kids fought hard, showing grit, heart, and a camaraderie that makes sports magical. And guess what? They didn’t just win their games—they dominated. Before we knew it, they were headed to the championship.

Here’s where it gets interesting: the championship game was scheduled to overlap with the Vikings game. If we’d gone to the Vikings game as planned, we would’ve missed this incredible moment—watching her son and his teammates battle it out, leaving everything on the ice. When that final buzzer rang and their team emerged victorious, the feeling was unmatched. Pure joy, pride, and the kind of energy you don’t just experience—you carry it with you.

That $150 scam? In hindsight, it wasn’t a loss—it was an investment in being exactly where we were meant to be. The universe has a funny way of realigning our paths. What felt like a letdown turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Instead of being surrounded by tens of thousands of strangers, we were in a rink filled with parents, siblings, and fans who were genuinely celebrating something real and hard-earned. There weren’t any scammers there—just good people supporting each other and savoring a shared victory.

It’s easy to get caught up in the negativity when something doesn’t go our way. Scammers are a frustrating reality of the world we live in, preying on people’s trust and excitement. But for every scammer, there are countless good people who make this world better—like the parents in the stands, the coaches pushing their teams to greatness, and the kids giving their all on the ice.

The takeaway? Trust what the universe tells you. Don’t let the scammers win—not just with your money, but with your mindset. Sure, we were upset at first. Who wouldn’t be? But wallowing in that frustration would’ve robbed us of the chance to fully embrace what turned out to be an even better experience. Sometimes, the universe gives you a gentle nudge (or a $150 lesson) to remind you that what’s meant for you won’t pass you by.

So, here’s to not letting the scammers or setbacks get you down. Here’s to trusting that the universe knows what it’s doing, even when it doesn’t make sense in the moment. And here’s to celebrating the victories that truly matter—whether they’re on the gridiron, the ice, or someplace else.

Stay Relentless,

Ryan