“You can’t judge a book by it’s cover”, is how the saying goes. I wonder if society will ever stop judging people by what they wear, or how they look? Fortunately, I’m at the age where that no longer matters to me.
This week, I went to a dental appointment, and was dressed casually, but nice. Afterwards I drove to the market which sits in a shopping center beside one of my favorite gift shops. As the seasons change, I like to stop in that shop to see the newest Voluspa candles on display. Walking through the door, I see two women near the back chatting, but they didn’t say anything to me, so I made my way toward the candle display to look. The supply was limited, but something I noticed during my time there was neither woman acknowledged my presence, not even a ‘Hello.’ I left and went next door to the market.
This was the second time this week this happened at businesses I frequently shop at. It was odd, especially since I know the owner of the gift shop and she would be mortified to know her clients didn’t feel welcomed. I had found a candle while there and would have purchased it under friendlier circumstances, but instead, I went home and made the purchase online from the actual candle company. My friend’s shop missed a sale.
I wasn’t upset because I knew how to let it go, but what bothered me was how my friend’s shop was being represented in an unfriendly manner. People push, ‘buy local’, but if we’re going to comply, it needs to be a gratifying experience. Will I get dressed up to go shopping like I did in my 20’s and 30’s? Nope, but I will be freshly showered so when I give someone a hug, I smell good. Sometimes I’ll spray my shirt with perfumed glitter spray, so after we hug, the glitter transfers onto them to find later in the day when needed. Whoever said, ‘Leave a little sparkle wherever you go’, I took that literally.
Just be you, my darling and retire the mask. Your people will see past the outer shell, straight to your heart. A good practice is to treat everyone you meet, the way you want to be treated and be kind, always. ~ Barb.