So while we're at HuHot today (seriously), walking out I saw three ROTC men in uniform just sitting down. I stopped. I thought. When Dad was in the Army he said people always paid for their dinners, they didn't have to pay to send letters (the PO sent them for them free of charge), people gave up their seats on trains. All to thank the boys for their service to their country. So I saw Dad pay for military people's lunches and dinners throughout my childhood, but I'd never done it myself. I paused. Was this considered an unnecessary expense? I don't know. I walked up to the counter and told the woman I wanted to pay for their lunches, and asked her to please tell them an anonymous person did it, and wanted to thank them for everything they're doing for us. She looked really touched and said of course.
I always get tears in my eyes when I do something like that. I don't know why. Maybe it's that whole sacrifice/honor thing. Those ROTC volunteers stayed in Bismarck for two weeks at a time, helping around the clock with the flood stuff, sleeping on the floor at the college, not asking for anything other than just the chance to help. It's a beautiful thing. A kundalini yogi once named me "Princess who lives in constant meditation on devotion to others." Every woman is named "Princess" in case you're wondering, all men are lions, I think. Or something like that. Service to others. That's what we all could do with our lives, right? Wouldn't that be wonderful? Isn't that necessary?
I worked a little bit more on my definitions of necessary and unnecessary, and it seems to me that something that genuinely helps someone else, or affirms them, or shows them respect, is absolutely necessary. Buying another handbag? Definitely unnecessary. Going to HuHot 5 times in one week? I'm afraid that's unnecessary and will have to stop. At least cut back. And the beat goes on.
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