Colleen's story begins with the history of the 400-acre farm, which was owned by a man named Charlie Scalina. Although he had a sister named Ann, Charlie was a miserly and solitary person who never married nor had children. He distrusted banks and buried his money all over the farm, where it is rumored to still be buried to this day.
After Charlie's death, the property changed hands a few times until Colleen and her husband Steve purchased it in the mid-1980s. They paid $28,000.00 for the land, which included a farmhouse, several outbuildings, and a beautiful red barn. The couple worked hard to remodel the property, and even bought some cows and a Newfoundland dog named Charlie.
One day, while Colleen was at work, Steve called and asked her to come home right away. When she arrived, he showed her a mason jar filled with money - thousands of dollars in twenties, fifties, and hundreds. He and his brother-in-law had been digging under the basement footings to see how deep they were and had stumbled upon the buried treasure.
The next day, Colleen went exploring on her own and found another envelope filled with rotted money. She was ecstatic to discover that they had enough money to pay off their house and make all the improvements they wanted. She gave her mother the rotted money and took the rest to the bank to exchange for new $100 bills. She wanted to keep the discovery under the radar, but Steve ended up telling everyone about it while drunk at his favorite watering hole.
Despite Steve's spending habits, Colleen was thrilled with the unexpected windfall. It was like a dream come true for her and her family.
Author’s inspirational moment.
The story has some similarities to the classic essay "Acres of Diamonds" by Russell Conwell. Just like the protagonist in Conwell's story, Colleen and her husband were searching for something they believed they didn't have - in this case, financial security, and the means to make their dream home a reality. But little did they know, they already had the resources they needed right under their feet, in the form of the buried treasure on the farm.
Similarly, Conwell's essay highlights the idea that we often overlook the potential value of what is right in front of us, instead of seeking it elsewhere. In this story, Charlie Scalina buried his money on the farm because he didn't trust banks, and his hoarding tendencies prevented him from enjoying the benefits of his wealth. Colleen and Steve, in turn, were struggling to make ends meet and had no idea that they were living on a potential goldmine.
Through this tale, the author highlights the importance of being aware of our own resources and recognizing the value of what we have, rather than always searching for something better elsewhere. Just like the diamonds in Conwell's story, the treasure on the farm was already there - it just took some digging and exploration to uncover it.
Rewrite your story.
This story is that sometimes, unexpected opportunities or fortunes can come from unexpected places. Colleen and Steve never expected to find buried treasure on their farm, but they took a chance and purchased the property anyway. Through hard work and perseverance, they were able to turn it into a beautiful home and farm. The discovery of the buried money was a bonus, and it allowed them to pay off their house and make improvements they had only dreamed of. This story shows that it is important to be open to new opportunities and to take chances, even if they seem risky. You never know what treasures you may find if you are willing to look for them.
Acres of Diamonds
"Acres of Diamonds" is a lecture that was originally delivered by Russell Conwell, a Baptist minister, lawyer, and writer, over 6,000 times in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The lecture is based on a true story about a farmer who sold his land in search of diamonds and died penniless, only to have the new owner discover that the land was rich in diamonds, which led to the discovery of one of the largest diamond mines in the world.
Conwell's lecture focuses on the idea that people often overlook the opportunities that are right in front of them in search of wealth and success elsewhere. He argues that people can find their own "acres of diamonds" by recognizing the value in their own talents, abilities, and resources, and by working hard to develop and cultivate them.
The story of "Acres of Diamonds" originated from the discovery of the Kimberly Diamond Mine in South Africa in the late 1800s. The mine was located on a farm that was originally owned by a man named Johannes Jacobus de Beer. De Beer had sold the farm to a man named W.C. Merries, who had discovered the diamonds on the property.
The story became popularized in the United States through Conwell's lectures and writings and has since become a well-known parable about the importance of recognizing and appreciating the opportunities that are available to us in our own lives.
Here are some comparisons between the two stories:
1. Both stories involve the discovery of unexpected wealth. In "Acres of Diamonds," the main character discovers that he has been living on a diamond mine all along, while in the other story, Colleen and Steve discover buried treasure on their newly-purchased farm.
2. Both stories highlight the importance of recognizing the value of what you have. In "Acres of Diamonds," the main character learns that he has been searching for wealth elsewhere when he had it in his own backyard all along. Similarly, Colleen and Steve didn't realize the potential value of their farm until they discovered the buried treasure.
3. Both stories caution against greed and the dangers of becoming too attached to material possessions. In "Acres of Diamonds," the main character becomes obsessed with acquiring wealth, while Colleen and Steve's newfound wealth causes tension and conflict in their lives.
4. Both stories emphasize the importance of hard work and perseverance. In "Acres of Diamonds," the main character achieves success through hard work and determination, while Colleen and Steve's success in remodeling their farm and discovering the treasure is also the result of their hard work.
5. Both stories teach the lesson that success and happiness are not solely determined by external factors, such as wealth and possessions, but also by one's attitude and perspective.
To purchase Acres of Diamonds, please visit Amazon.
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The Author
The author's purpose of Substack is to bring to light the untold stories of inspiring individuals on social media. The goal is to write 100 of these inspirational stories in 100 days, with each new story being published at 6 am. Through this project, the author hopes to inspire others to practice more love, kindness, and empathy towards one another. Each time the author writes one of these stories, they are reminded of the incredible resilience and strength of the human spirit. They have been deeply moved by these stories and believe that sharing them with the world can make a positive impact, encouraging others to see the beauty and goodness in humanity. The author's ultimate aim is to spread hope, positivity, and inspiration, and to remind us all that even in the face of adversity, there is always a reason to keep going.