by Diane Cretin
I found myself thinking about expectations recently. I am part of a health and wellness company that does quarterly events, including a fall event where they release their holiday catalog. It is a highly anticipated event by people all around the world. I was ready on Saturday for the U.S launch and actually had two windows on my computer open as a woman I respect and admire was hosting her own event while the company was streaming online with subtitles.
It was fun and some useful and cute things were revealed. I made my list of what I wanted to gift people and was logged in to order at the beginning of the time when ordering went live. I got right up to where I could start to check out. Then things went bad. Very bad. The program just spun and spun and spun. We crashed their website. As soon as they would get it up and running again, the backlog of people trying to order crashed it again. I continued to refresh my screen and could get back in three times, but each time it refused to let me checkout. This went on for four hours. Then the company decided they would shut off the ordering of the holiday products as their system was obviously not handling the load. They are working to fix their issue (three times as many people were trying to order as their highest projection). But we are talking about the fix taking days, not hours.
I was not a happy camper. I felt that the company should have prepared better as they have had similar issues in the past, just on a smaller scale. I will never think this level of performance is acceptable. However, it did cause me to think – when do we have enough? Although I would enjoy giving some items as gifts and having my family give me one or two things as gifts, my life will go on perfectly well if I don’t get any of them. I get plenty of other things from this company on a monthly basis that help keep me healthy. The holiday items are more about fun and novelty.
I had the same thought (when do we have enough?) last week when it was Amazon Prime day(s). I ordered one thing for my granddaughter that will help her do her online schooling, but I could not think of a thing that I truly needed to buy. And I do not mean to make light of anyone who is financially suffering right now. I know many have lost their jobs due to Covid. My husband and I are both fortunate to still have jobs. We have a roof over our heads, safe water to drink, warm water for bathing, plenty of food, multiple changes of clothing and footwear, a garden to grow organic produce in that is still producing,… The list goes on.
I realize I have become spoiled . I can order something on Amazon and get it in two days. But they are a big company and I don’t want small companies going out of business. I have been trying to focus on supporting local businesses. So instead of ordering each book for the literature group online, I have gone into Copperfield’s Bookstore. Two of the first three books they had in the store and one they ordered – and it came as fast as if I ordered it from Amazon. I want Copperfield’s to continue to exist, so I need to support them. It is the same with restaurants. We don’t eat out a ton, but have purposefully gone out multiple times in order to support local restaurants.
I am actually working to declutter my house and garage. And the fact that I need to do it tells me that not only do I have enough, I have way too much stuff. I have papers to shred, recycle, and file and items to donate and have hauled away. It is a slow process, but one that is making me very happy. I actually don’t like clutter.
I like what is said in the following graphic and find it to be true.
Most of what I have accumulated I did when I was younger. Many things have just been stored in boxes. If I never see them or use them, do I really need them? For most of it, the answer is no. I do want to keep pictures and a few projects done by my daughter and granddaughter, but many things I am letting go of.
I believe we can let go of things easier when we are grateful and recognize just how blessed we are. I am so thankful for my personal relationship with God, who knows every hair on my head and every thought I have, yet still loves me. I am thankful for quiet moments spent in the same room with my spouse. Some times we are each reading, some times making plans or dreaming. I am grateful for times of relaxing with a dog on my lap. I am grateful to hear bees buzzing and see hummingbirds and dragonflies in my garden. God’s creation is so amazing when you stop to focus on it. We have so many things to be grateful for.
I find a parallel between believing I have enough, feeling grateful, and trusting in God. When I trust God, I know that I have enough.
Philippians 4:11-13
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
I always like Proverbs.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
I leave you with this final thought:
Continued blessings,
Diane Cretin
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