As I've gotten older, I have become more aware of advertising ploys and schemes that stores use to make us buy, buy, buy. And let me tell you, some of these stores have it down pat- they are GOOD at what they do.
Two examples immediately come to mind for me.
The first is good ole Target. I mean who doesn't love walking into a brightly lit, red accented, one stop shop like Target?! This store gets me every time. I can literally have a list (a written out on paper because I still like writing my lists on note pads and not just using my phone app) of 3 items, and walk out with way more than three! Now maybe this is just a discipline issue and something I need to work on, but I can bet I am not the only person who has this problem.
The other store that comes to mind for me in particular is Michael's Craft store. Oh my, oh my. So many fun, crafty, cute things in this store, and the endless aisles of "clearance" items. I don't stand a chance.
Now this may come off like I am defending my sometimes impulsive shopping, but in reality, this post was meant for another topic. Today is October 12th....the 12th of October....and yet over a week ago, I was in a Michaels (buying some canvases for a sweet friend's baby girl's nursery gift...and if I'm being honest, a few other little things that caught my eye) and the fall items were ALREADY on clearance. Why is this a problem you ask? Because it means that the store was already stocked for CHRISTMAS! Don't get me wrong. I for one love Christmas. It is in fact my most favorite holiday and season, but!
I am becoming more and more frustrated with our culture's incessant need to move through life quickly.
As you know from reading my blog, I have recently begun a journey of gratitude (through journaling, blogging, photography). I want to be able to enjoy and be grateful for the month of October and the crisp weather it is bringing. The awesome pumpkin flavored goodies that are made; the ability to wear a scarf and boots and not be sweating; having your windows rolled down and not getting a sunburn while you're driving. All these things are good things. I want to stop and enjoy them, as little as they may seem. I don't want to be thinking about the holiday that comes after before I have even experienced the next one on my calendar!
So here's to living in the here and now! And enjoying the time and seasons that God has given us to enjoy. Our culture has begun to forget Thanksgiving even exists. It's become just a Thursday to eat turkey, watch football, and gear up for mad shopping the next day (which I just have to say I have never participated in...side note: I think our culture is the only one to "celebrate" what we are thankful for the day before trampling over people to get what we want. Sigh!)
So in my new season of gratitude, I encourage you not to skip from Halloween right onto Christmas. There will be plenty of time for that holiday. Remember Fall and Thanksgiving. And actually have some gratitude.
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52. Enjoying my downtown with friends at the Octoberfest Art Walk
53. magenta lilies to brighten my day
54. sweet bedtime hugs and kisses from little ones for their babysitter
55. football Saturdays
56. watching the sunrise over the skyscrapers downtown on the way to work in the morning
57. soup on a sick day
58. having a day off to rest
59. free tickets to a Magic game downtown
60. laughter
61. strawberry banana smoothies in the morning
62. using wine bottles for vases
63. laughter
64. chocolate chai tea lattes
65. lunch after church with old and new friends
