"If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs...."
Rudyard Kipling
This is only part of the first line of a poem titled "If" by Kipling. But it is the part that kept running thru my mind today.
Actually, the first thought that popped into my head as I approached the Fashion Center around noontime: What was I thinking???? It's only a few weeks before Christmas and Lord and Taylor's is having a sale! Are you crazy???
The parking lot was packed. I mean there wasn't a space to be found, not even if you were willing to sell a kidney. But I persevered. For one thing, I had only a few items to purchase. But more importantly, I had a 25% off coupon, with 10% off cosmetics - a rare deal. AND a $15 bonus card. I had to shop!
There were women everywhere - all sizes, shapes and ages. And each with a different level of patience and tolerance.
I don't know if it's because I'm a grandmother, life experience has taught me some lessons, or that I could hear the Englishman in my head whispering "Just relax", but I made a conscious effort to remain calm. Boy was I calm! I waited patiently to be waited on. I smiled at each and every person I came in contact with. I even joked with a gentleman seated at a make-up counter, asking if he was ahead of me and teasing that surely he must be looking for some makeup for himself.
And it worked! I tried to exude an attitude of peace and goodwill and that is exactly what I received. I made all the purchases I needed to and even got a bonus gift I hadn't expected from one of the cosmetic people. Mission accomplished!
Of course, any additional shopping I may have to do will be accomplished online. I'm not going to press my luck!
There were women everywhere - all sizes, shapes and ages. And each with a different level of patience and tolerance.
I don't know if it's because I'm a grandmother, life experience has taught me some lessons, or that I could hear the Englishman in my head whispering "Just relax", but I made a conscious effort to remain calm. Boy was I calm! I waited patiently to be waited on. I smiled at each and every person I came in contact with. I even joked with a gentleman seated at a make-up counter, asking if he was ahead of me and teasing that surely he must be looking for some makeup for himself.
And it worked! I tried to exude an attitude of peace and goodwill and that is exactly what I received. I made all the purchases I needed to and even got a bonus gift I hadn't expected from one of the cosmetic people. Mission accomplished!
Of course, any additional shopping I may have to do will be accomplished online. I'm not going to press my luck!
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