I heart you...

Ah, Valentine’s Day…  Valentine’s Day basically equals a day of spending money… Cheesy, but thoughtfully purchased and given, gifts, cards, chocolates and flowers… A sweet day for many, a day of torment for many… And a day that I would just as soon skip…   Not for any specific reason, like a platform against the day.  No, it’s just another day to me.  Perhaps I am just getting old, I dunno.  But the truth is, I would be ok with just skipping the whole rigmarole…

But I won’t, because it means things to those around me.  So I will happily go and find just the right gifts, just the right thoughtful little something.  Had I been better prepared, I would have certainly done this all already, lol… But you know me… :-) 

However, beyond this day, spending money just always seems to be there, this threat, just hovering.  The only way to be safe from it is to never leave your home.  Once you get in that car, you have first, gas… Then wherever it is you are going, it is likely going to cost you something, maybe the price of admission… maybe it’s the birthday gift you need to get for that party – which of course, means wrapping paper and cards… And god forbid you happen to be shopping at a Target for those things.  I challenge you to go into a Target for just one thing and come out with just that one thing!  It is impossible, because you see all the things you need and you say, “Oh, I should pick this up since I’m out”.   Plus there is a whole psychology around the correct marketing of the little extras that you just need to pick up.   

So then the answer must be to just stay home, right?  But even at home,  you have threats like shopping channels and the millions of internet sites that are just begging for your perusal.   Threats, threats, threats… So we must remain vigilant!   We must be on guard.  At least, I must be on guard.  This is my new way of being, trying so hard to avoid all of the trappings, all of the options… It is a challenge, but I try every day.  I need things, so I have to go out into the world.  But now, I am at least mindful of the difference between necessary and fun…. And it’s hard, because I almost always want the fun and the extras!

I continue to try.  But since I also continue to “want”, there shall remain an internal battle for some time….  Anyway, thank you for reading, and enjoy your Valentine’s Day!  Xo