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Big Box

Yesterday I went to BJ's, one of those big-box-warehouse-buy-a-whole-lot-of-stuff stores (like Sam's or Costco).  I left thinking that being in that store for the hour I was there was the opposite of painting, collage-ing, drawing, or writing.  For the first few minutes it lured my mind into the attitude of discovery.  I might just find the best deal I've ever seen -- almost free -- on just the thing I've been hoping to find.  I might find the neatest thing ever, that I didn't even know existed (my internal voice was getting louder now)... the one item my home had been missing (voice rises again)... the one item that would eliminate steps in a tedious chore (internal voice got louder and took on the tone of a television announcer)... the one thing that would, for once and for all, erase the chaos of getting ready to leave the house in the morning... the one thing (my mind was shouting by now) that would eliminate all stress in my life!

By about the third aisle I realized there wasn't really anything I'd been hoping to find before I walked into the store, aside from a large quantity of paper plates and water bottles I need for an upcoming party; and if I was going to find something that would change my life, it would NEVER be found in a big box store tucked between stinky, but very clean, tires and oversized night shirts.

I am so lucky to be able to say that when something comes around that changes my perspective and thoughts, my routines and attitudes that something will always come from a human being -- conversation, clear writing, good research.  So today, I raise my flower into the air and toast the intelligence and clarity that each person in my life brings to share with me.

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