Love to Shop, Hate Shopping

My life seems so full of contradictions some times. For example. I have never considered myself a shopper. Maybe it's because I never have any 'blow money' to go shopping with, and if I do have extra money, I usually end up spending it on someone else, or for the house, just about anything but for myself. Well, maybe to be more specific, I love to shop, I just hate shopping.

What's the difference, you may ask? Well, shopping, for me, has a connotation of leisure time and enjoyment, hours perusing racks of clothes, looking for things that I like but don't really need. When I shop, however, it is with a purpose in mind (and usually a list!). The reason, dear friends, is because I am an impulse buyer. And I learned a long time ago how bad that was for my pocketbook. So I when I go shopping (i.e., going along with someone else to enjoy someone's company), and I see something I like, I ask myself if this item is something that I really need, and 99% of the time, the answer is NOPE! And unless it is an unbelievable good deal on something I have been thinking about buying, or if it is a somewhat good deal offered somewhere I'm not likely to revisit any time soon, I decide to give it the 24 hour test...if after 24 hours I still want it, then I go back and buy it. It doesn't matter if it is a cute pair of skidders at the mall or a new brand of organic chips at the grocery store. If it isn't on my list, I don't get it.

I am trying to apply this to other aspects of my life, too. I am part of a really great women's bible study group at our church on Wednesday nights. We have been talking about how to be a good friend. Normally I try to avoid confrontation like the plague, and one of my spiritual strengths is forgiveness. But I am also apt to let a word or gesture fester inside until I am about ready to burst with frustration/anger. So I have decided to put my shopping rules into play in my relationships. If a friend or even acquaintance says something that bothers me, I will do what I normally do and let it go for a period of time (maybe a few days up to a week). If at the end of that time it still bothers me, I will address the situation, as to not let things build up and fester. I'll let you know how this experiment works, and if any of you sweet friends out there are at the receiving end, just know that it's because I value our friendship and I would hope you would do the same for me!