Not too many miles from where I live, there is a shopping center. In it are, among other things, an Office Max and a Ross. Right next to each other. A match made in Heaven to my way of thinking.
This past Saturday, I had a need of a few of the things that Office Max sells. Also, I am beginning my research into a new task chair to put in front of our computer. The one I am sitting in is probably six years old and not all that comfortable any more.
I do not go to Office Max every time I go to Ross. However, every time I go to Office Max, I always go to Ross. What does this say about me? Now, I don't think re-writable CDs, and pens and paper have less cosmic significance than clothes and accessories and little frou-frou things that sit around the house (which I do try to keep to a minimum). Well, okay maybe. It's just that, much as I love writing and all the things that go with it, I'd rather be looking at a nice sweater or a colorful skirt.
When you go to Ross, you can't be in a hurry. There's no, "I'll just dash in and pick up a new shirt and be on my way again" to it at all. It takes patience. You never know what brilliant bargain you will find. On one visit, I put together three whole outfits for about $45. But it took time and looking at everything. Had I been in a hurry, I would have missed it all.
Today's world is so hurry-up, get there and get it done, that I wonder what we are missing. Probably way too much. That old saying about taking time to smell the roses is truer today than it ever was.
At the same time that you can't be in a hurry, it is good to have some sort of plan. Some basic idea about what you might want. Or you could wander aimlessly for a couple of hours and spend way more money than you intended. Maybe a new shirt and a pair of jeans would be good. You head for the racks and racks and racks of jeans. But you don't find any that are what you are looking for (mainly that would be something I don't have to hemI hate hemming and being vertically challengedyou get the idea). But along the way, you find a really great sweater at a really great price that some customer just stuck in the middle of all the jeans when she decided she didn't want it after all.
In life, it is good to have a plan. Plans keep us on track and moving forward (we just rented and watched "Meet the Robinsons" and so I have Keep Moving Forward stuck in my brain). However, it is also a good idea to be flexible and willing to change those plans as circumstances demand. You never know what will happen and to lose a good opportunity because it wasn't in your plans would be silly.
On the other hand, while shopping at Ross, it is also a good idea to keep your focus, as much as possible. It is so easy to get distracted. Okay, I went in for a shirt and a pair of jeans, but I found this really great sweater. Maybe now I need a cute skirt to go with it. Oh! Wait a minute, what about the shirt?
While it's good to be flexible, sometimes the outcome of your plan is worthwhile and must be pursued to its conclusion. Otherwise, you might never accomplish anything in life. Sort of like when I started to clean out cupboards in the utility room and I found there were many things in them that should actually be in the garage. Next thing I know, I'm cleaning the garage, having completely forgotten about the utility room. I come back into the house, so very pleased with what I accomplished in the garage to find the utility room is still in complete disarray.
There is a science fiction book written by Alan Dean Foster. Sorry Mister Foster, but I don't remember the title. It's been a few years since I read it. There is a female character in it who is vindicated in her belief, when a vastly scientifically superior society of aliens asserts that the main purpose in life is to shop; that shopping defines life (yes, scifi can be humorous and not just about gadgets). It's all in how you look at things. I try to be open enough to learn my life lessons from a Hallmark Card commercial, if that's where I find them.
Keep your eyes and mind open. You can find meaning, purpose and understanding in the smallest of things and the silliest of places. You might be surprised at what shopping (or cleaning the garage) can teach you about living your life.
Dianne Lehmann is a jewelry designer who has been in business since January of 2000. Her interest in designing and manufacturing jewelry goes back beyond that to 1994. It took her many years of trying various creative outlets to finally figure out that making jewelry is where she could really shine. Dianne began with simply stringing beads onto cable and has progressed from there. She is now an accomplished lapidary (cuts and polishes stones) and silversmith. Dianne and her husband, Bernd, live in northern Arizona and both love to hike. Dianne can not help but pick up rocks (they are her first love) and some of these find their way into her jewelry. Dianne makes one-of-a-kind pieces that she hopes give people as much joy to view as she gets from the making of them.If you like, you may view her work at http://www.syzygyjewelry.com
» left by Kathy Somers Walsh(2,129) Kathy Somers Walsh (1 year 296 days ago.)
Hi Dianne, as you know I live in Canada, I never heard of Ross, or of Office Max. But I know what you mean. When you said that you hate hemming pants, I wish I could find a pair long enough, I am 6ft. So it's really hard to find pants that fit me...LOL I love your article and you do the same as me, I start in the kitchen, then go to the bedroom and forget that I was cleaning the kitchen first.....LOL Multitask, is that what that means? Or is that just in a hurry. Respond to this comment
» left by Dianne Lehmann(5,198) Dianne Lehmann (1 year 296 days ago.)
Hi Kathy. My husband is 6"2" and I am 5"2". For a long time people thought I was his little sister. We met when we were 18 and I looked about 14. I don't know too many women who are 6" tall. That must have been tough on you growing up. Guess you need to sew. Although making a pair of jeans would surely me a nasty project. Multitasking...I don't know. Being in a hurry...maybe. Losing your focus...for sure. Oh, Ross is sort of a designer outlet store where you can get seconds or end of season stuff at good prices. Have a great day and stay warm. Respond to this comment
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