And it's more valuable than any purchase you can make.
I tagged along with my friend Betsy yesterday on a retail mission she had to complete, and we were chatting about various things as she tried to find the perfect jacket. We browsed two stores before she found the winner in the third store (I guess that whole "third time's a charm" thing is true every once in a while). She had tried on others in the previous stores—and even mentioned returning to the first store to buy a pretty snazzy jacket there—but it was rather obvious when she put on the sassy attire in the final store that there was really only one victor in this shopping escapade.
One thing you immediately notice about Betsy upon first meeting her is that she says things that are so profound but in a simple manner. As we were waiting for the perfect blazer to catch her eye and discussing very important matters, she said something that really stuck with me: "Sometimes you know you can rock a jacket, but you just don't want it. But then you find that jacket that's so you, and you don't even question it." (That might be more of a paraphrased version, but it's the gist of her point.)
Just because a jacket might seem awesome doesn't mean it's for you.
Some jackets are too expensive, some are uncomfortable, some are too flashy, some don't fit the way you want, some don't have the right look for you, some make your arms look stupid, some make you look like you're with child, and some just don't leave you saying, "I want to rock that," regardless of whether or not you could.
Some jackets just aren't right for you. Similarly, the whole "if the shoe fits" theory doesn't always apply—sometimes shoes fit but are quite uncomfortable.
Just because a job pays the bills doesn't mean it's the career you should pursue; just because a running shoe is pretty doesn't mean it will provide the stability you need; just because the milk smells halfway decent doesn't mean you should ignore the expiration date (though sometimes that one is acceptable); just because a person looks good on paper doesn't mean he or she is the right candidate for a job; just because a person makes you promises doesn't mean they won't turn out to be like pie-crusts; just because a movie gets good reviews doesn't mean you are going to like it; just because all of the "experts" predict a team to dominate the brackets doesn't mean it won't get knocked out in the first round by a 16 seed.
Just because everyone around you is putting a bunch of noise in your ears doesn't mean you should listen.
I bought an avocado the other that I really shouldn't have. It looked so wonderful on the outside, but when I picked it up I quickly realized that it wasn't ready. Avocados are supposed to be soft when they are ripe, and this particular avocado was not soft by any means, but it looked so good. I bought it. Needless to say, when I tried to cut it later that evening, I realized I should have gone with my gut in the store and selected another avocado.
There are so many times in life where we try to wear the wrong jackets or slice into unripe avocados rather than stick to the paths that deep down we know we are supposed to follow. But I would prefer not even to try on a jacket that I know isn't for me. There's one that's just right and doesn't necessarily come with such a high price tag.
Things are better when the heart is fully invested.
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