I'm a sucker for a good deal.
Whether that deal be for food, clothing, housewares, a hobby, etc.
For example, today I went to the Muse Paintbar to paint. It's a great little place that allows me to relax and makes me feel connected to something greater. Though I do have to say, creating anything with your hands makes one feel good. I wonder if that's how God felt after he created Adam and Eve. Did he just take a step back, and relish in all that He did, and say "Wow." I'd give anything to be a fly on the wall of creation to hear, see, and experience what he felt during those first moments of creation. Anyway, I'm off on yet another tangent again. And, as a country song I listen to goes "...that's a song for another time."
So, I'm standing at my canvas, painting away all of my worries and all of life's insecurities at the Muse, thinking about this great deal. I saved up $30 and the painting cost $35. So, can you guess what I paid for it?
FIVE DOLLARS! Say what?!
Honestly, I've been on quite the "coupon kick" recently. Between the grocery store and CVS and other purchases, I've been saving all of my receipts to try and keep track of how much I'm spending (though it's not very much at all -with the exception of those never ending bills!) I take those receipts and collate them into an envelope. One of the reasons that I am trying to save money, is that I want to go back to school again. As my mom says, I'll "forever be a perpetual student."
One of the areas of my life that I am trying to save money in is through grocery shopping. Instead of grocery shopping every week, I buy a large amount of food every two weeks, freeze half of it (like meats, frozen veggies/fruits) and that has been a great way to save! If I need or want little things here and there, I'll just go in for the items on my shopping list (though that's hard to do but now, relatively easier). I've also noticed that with grocery shopping every two weeks, I throw away less food and eat more whole fruits.
Now, if there was a coupon or a formula for finding a guy. . . then, I'd be in luck. Haha - but really! I've been sitting here thinking, "wouldn't it be nice if there was a coupon for 'that guy?'" It would make the journey of finding him, or at least being aware of his presence, so much easier. I could just go into a place like CVS, pick him off the shelf and bring my coupon to the cashier to redeem the deal.
If only life were like that.
On the flipside, I guess if life were like a scan machine, then we'd lose out on the "mystery" that meeting a new person brings us. If my coupon redeemed a guy for me, then I wouldn't be able to have that initial encounter with him. I wouldn't be able to go out on a first date with him, because I would have already selected the deal. And, unlike the NFL, NCAA, or NHL (or any other sports league), I wouldn't be able to make a "trade" or choose an alternate from a draft pick.
So, in a way, I'm thankful that meeting a guy is not like cashing in a coupon. I'm fortunate that I can get to know a potential guy on my own terms, and in my own way, without the pressure of society telling me how or when I should meet a man. I know that someday, to the right guy, my accomplishments won't come across as intimidating, but rather, as an attractive challenge. Truthfully, I want a guy who will challenge me and teach me how to enjoy life, without worrying.
At work, I'm often told that I'm good at "working hard" but need to perfect the "play hard." And, that is something that I am learning how to do more and more, in my own way, and I'm enjoying this breaking out of my shell into a new creature kind of thing. And, even though well meaning people have tried their best to "set me up," albeit unsuccessfully (meaning its been just talking) - that's okay with me for right now. And though I can't really answer the question "Why haven't you met a man yet?" I can answer that I am enjoying my life as a teacher, future "back to school student," my friends, and spending time with my family. I am happy already. I don't need a guy to make me happy. When the time is right, I want a man who will support me in these things already, and add to my already established happiness. And, I hope that someday, I can do the same for him. . . wherever he is.
-cheers.
