I have never been a great shopper. I can do a good job on groceries and necessities, but when it is birthday time my mind goes blank. It look at shopping as a cruel form of torture. I need to change my thinking. Shopping is an affirmation of life.
I find myself saying things like, “I won’t need to buy any more sox. I have enough to last me until I die.” Same about hats. I have more guitars than I can play and pens coming out of my ears. Buying more is a waste of money.
How limiting is that? How defeatist. How pessimistic.
This is a good time to put it to the test. It should possibly effect my Christmas shopping. I am going to make it part of my pattern to walk through stores and ask myself, “Who do I know that could use this?” I tried it once and found a great gift for my wife for Christmas. She may return it but it is still a great gift.
I need to learn to make sure I know where receipts are because my perfect gift may very well be nothing but a dust magnet for the recipient.
But I am looking to the future in a different way.
homo unius libri
If you have that many socks, guitars and pens, maybe it's time to do the OPPOSITE of shopping--SELLING (or donating). Some folks find it frightening, others find it liberating.
ReplyDeleteBut George, I might need them someday.
DeleteI have been looking for homes for the guitars but it is like trying to find a good home for kittens.
Grace and peace