Today, I made one of the biggest mistakes of my LIFE. I decided that the day after Christmas would be a good day to go to Tyson's Corner Mall. It made perfect sense: the place would be empty because everyone must be all presented out, and I'd be able to run in, grab some cargo pants and maybe a long tank top or two, and be on my way.
It took Mom and me an hour to park.
This is the line in front of Starbucks:
Sure, maybe while I'm on the Race i'll miss this: the crowds of people all pushing each other to get the lowest priced item before the equally frantic lady behind him…
… but somehow, I doubt it.
The whole time I just wanted to shout: "people PLEASE. Did you not get the right colored cashmere scarf from Aunt Trudy yesterday??"
Apparently not.
How has our society become so materialistic that the mall becomes a madhouse the day after Christmas? Why do we stand in line for so long to get YET ANOTHER item we don't need, something we won't even remember this time next week?
Did I miss something?
I was able to get the cargo pants and some shampoo– just one step closer to being ready for launch.
But I was also reminded today of why I'm going.
Yes, I love where I live. I love the busyness, the fast paced, never- take- a- breath- for- fear- of- falling- over, 24/7 thing. I love that I can always grab a Starbucks, can pick my hang outs by type or size or location, can easily get to the beach or the mountains from the heart of the city. Sure, the traffic can be frustrating and once in a while I crash under the pressure of it all, but I wouldn't trade my hometown for anything.
However, this world that I live in is completely self centered, focused on ME. Everything here, from volunteer hours in high school for college apps to corporate donations that boost customer appeal, is done with the sole benefactor of ME. Today in the mall epitomized that: the gifts weren't good enough, I need better ones to be skinnier / prettier / better dressed / have more / get more / be more / more / more / MORE…
When does it end?
Part of why I'm going on the Race is to get people to STOP. Breathe. Look around. Just because you have this season's latest coat doesn't mean the 12,000 homeless people in DC do. And it's snowing again tonight.
To those of you supporting me, thank you.
To those of you following the story, thank you.
To those of you who may have randomly stumbled here by accident, welcome. Next week I leave for India. I don't think we'll be in Kansas anymore, Toto, but the world is waiting.
And it doesn't want a returned gift.
