Shopping for Presence

 



"I always choose the wrong line," I fumed in my head.  Here we go... "Price Check!" Dang. With only a few items in my cart, I regretted having forgone the self-checkout, even if it required translating the Spanish. Finally,10 minutes later another clerk came to examine their receipt. I couldn't believe what I saw next. The folks in front of me removed items from their overflowing cart of already-bagged groceries and put them back on the conveyor belt. They started ringing in every item, again. 

"Holy guacamole, they've got to be kidding!" I thought. "Should I stay or should I go? Why didn't they let me go through first?" My frustration level wasn't helping as my mind encouraged me to believe I was in an urgent hurry, when I wasn't. Switch lanes, or stay in my lane? No decision was also a decision. I urged myself to take a few deep breaths, and muster some patience and presence... I could: listen to the sounds of the eager seasonal shoppers and the holiday music; be curious about what people had in their carts; notice what they were wearing; feel my skin cooled by the A/C; breathe in the sweet aromas from the bakery. The negative commentary in my mind faded as did the need to rush.

Eventually the disgruntled customers received the same tally. They were no further ahead. Me, I'm happy to have had the presence of mind to sink into my senses in those moments and to grab this photo of my feet -- a reminder for next time.

P.S. If you can, shop Canadian🍁 (or Mexican). 

Comments

  1. AnnetteFebruary 15, 2025 at 2:38 PM

    love it, I've often found myself in your situation at the checkout, I've now learned and chatting with folks behind me helps as I say "often the shortest line is the longest" we all have a chuckle and sometimes that brings on other conversation, helping the time go by and not getting upset. :) So nice to have the sense if finding the calm! Yap, shopping Canadian has often been my/our priority along with Mexican and now more than ever :)

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