Can a book be better than shopping?
Ever have days like this: Everyone seems annyoying? Nothing motivates you? The whole world seems unremarkable? You’re even unimpressed with yourself?
Today was one of those days for me–I felt invisible…business was a little slow–it was sooo bloody hot. And–yet again–NOone was answering my e-mails…I didn’t even want to deal with clients…I was in heavy phone-screen mode.
I decided to get out of my office and go shopping. I didn’t really want to buy anything…I just wanted to roam around the mall, alone — just to avoid engaging with anyone.
So much so–I even lied to the girl at the Clinique counter when she asked what I used to wash my face. “My dermatologist has me use something special”, I muttered. That shut her up…no tedious sales pitch to smile through, one less person to talk to.
What am I saying, I do that very thing to clients all day long!
Next, it was off to the jewelry store to get my wedding ring polished. Excellent. I’d accpmplished something and didn’t have to spend a dime.
Shortly after, I rationalized that since I’d been shopping for an hour and hadn’t bought anything, I should go to that cute boutique to see if they had anything new. Two shirts (on sale) later, I felt pleased with my purchases and that I’d exercised some fiscal discipline. Time to get back to my office.
Nope, not yet. I was still feeling unsatisfied. Shoes…that was the answer! I convinced myself to buy not 1, but 2 pairs of strappy sandals (on sale), a half-size too small, for some deranged reason.
I went home with my summer loot, and was still feeling, not only bored and unimportant, but really dumb for thinking that a shopping spree was going to help perk me up…much of my husband’s money later, it didn’t.
I still wasn’t in the right frame of mind to get any quality work done, so I grabbed John Grogan’s Marley and Me…a sweet, uplifting little novel about a real family and their atrocious Yellow Labrador Marley.
A couple of hours had elapsed by the time I looked up at the clock…and I realized that my spirits had lifted. It dawned on me that my time with Marley and his family was quite engaging. Sitting alone with a book was more valuable than my new purchases.
I’m now ready to work, and totally re-train my dog.
I hope this doesn’t mean that Marley’s life is more interesting than mine.
Tags: books, dermatologist, jewelry, Marley-and-Me, shoppingRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Fabulous Coffee Break
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