03.22.09
The ABC (and DE)’s of Thrift
Today’s Comedy Around the World goes to the thrift store. Where? Pick one: Salvation Army, Goodwill, St. Vincent DePaul’s, Red White & Blue, Attic Treasures, Stuff From the Divorce, Human Society Thrift Store (for clothing, not pets).
The thrift store offers us a way to see how shopping there is a lot like finding humor in life. A. In a thrift store, there are racks and racks of clothing. Mundane and monotonous, like many of the moments in life. We tend to focus or see only that –the collective mundane. We miss the treasures sticking out from between the peace sign t-shirts and the bell bottoms.
B. Or, we see only the negative that clamors for–and gets–our attention. I once bought a Kasper skirt suit from a yard sale. Although the suit would retail for hundreds of dollars, the jacket was a ghastly 1980’s cut with big shoulders. I wanted to re-donate it (yes, I did buy it). But by looking at what could be recovered from the negative situation, I salvaged a very classic-type skirt that can be worn with more human-looking jackets.
C: You never know what you are going to find. There is always a factor of the unknown. Usually the unknown is frightening to us. But by regular exposure to these types of stores, your muscles of adaptation increase, as your fears decrease.
D: Sometimes there are unexpected surprises. And some days–nothing. This teaches non-attachment to outcomes, and also rolling with the punches.
E: Go to the thrift store during a bag sale. The clerks will stuff as much as they can into the bags, because they need to reduce inventory. Like the stack of clothes that is preventing customers access to the bathrooms and dressing rooms. Your happiness at your great finds is making them happy as well. Likewise, your good humor has far-reaching effects, and acts as a chain-reaction of good cheer.
“Get Your SHINE Together!” and get shopping!
