[Note: today begins our annual Guest Writer Series. Hence, the viewpoints expressed may or may not be held by the Intramuralist. Regardless, these guys are good and they are respectful. Enjoy! … starting with Guest Writer #1…]
It was an interesting observation. I was in a florist shop waiting in line to buy flowers for a new mom. At the front of the line was a customer who was eager to place his order. He has his wallet in hand, and from his demeanor, it was obvious that he was ordering flowers for someone special, someone very dear to him. He wanted to send the very best. He was not just sending flowers; he was sending a message.
With strong affirmation and for all of us to hear, he declared, “I want to order a dozen of your very best red roses!”
Then with a degree of hesitancy and apparent after thought, and in a less enthusiastic voice, he asked, “Ah… just how much does a dozen roses cost?”
The clerk replied, “That will be $60.00.”
With that information in mind, further deliberation, and a long pause, he said, “Well…ah…how much does a half dozen cost?”
Again, the clerk replied, “That would be $35.00.”
I watched the man shifting from one foot to the other and obviously in thought as he was evaluating the cost before finalizing his order for this special recipient. Then he said, “Gee, ya’ know, she really likes carnations… and they last so much longer… yes, let’s send her a half dozen carnations instead of the roses.”
As I observed this scenario I couldn’t help but ask myself some questions. Did he decide that she wasn’t worth that which cost the most? Did he decide that less would reflect his love just as much? Did she really like carnations, or was that just a rationalization to get out of ordering the roses he had originally intended when he came into the shop?
Life frequently presents us with scenarios which have lessons within them for us who are observing. I thought about how often we have intentions to give the most or what we deem the best initially, and then when we research the cost, we rationalize to see if we can give a little less, do a little less, or maybe substitute something else entirely. Yes, we still want the relationship, the message, and the desired response to our gift from the recipient, but maybe, just maybe, we can get by with giving just a little less. After all, why should cost matter? Isn’t it the thought that really counts? Well, maybe… but then how important is the relationship, be it physical, emotional, or spiritual? Does what we are willing to invest say something about its value, its importance to us?
So my question is when is substituting something less for the most a commentary on what we honestly value, on how much we really are willing to invest, be it money, time, or ourselves?
Hmmmm, I wonder.
Thanks Intramuralist…you invest from the heart!
Respectfully…
DWL
Thought provoking….but perhaps like the widow at the temple…perhaps it was all he had.