Winning A Grocery Store Shopping Spree: $500.
Watching Your Wife Throw Boxes Of Veggie Burgers At A Shopping Cart: Priceless!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP_mhunSQzE
A couple of weeks ago my wife and I received a call regarding a super market shopping spree she had won. We checked it out to make sure it was legit and it most certainly was. Apparently, a local car dealership was doing a promotion that involved a grocery shopping spree in which some of the proceeds would be going to a charity. They had picked out thousands of random names in our community and then did a drawing of two names that would be the winner. My wife, Liz, and another woman were the ones they picked.
Two days ago was the big event. One of the local radio stations was there and my wife was quite nervous. But when they said go…a fire lit under her that I’d never seen before! Her adrenaline was pumping and SHE WAS ON A MISSION! She was running around, throwing things at her shopping cart and maneuvering through the isles with precision. It was great to see her have so much fun and get a bunch of free groceries in the process. 
We had a lot of fun and met a lot of really nice people. The other woman spent all of her time in the canned goods section to fill up on food to give to her church. It was just so great to be able to be a part of something so silly (in a good way) on the one hand and yet community oriented at the same time. To see people cheering the winners on as they raced around the store and then to know that much of the proceeds were going to charities just made it a good time all around.
We were all completely caught up in the moment. You could just tell that no one was thinking about anything else but what was going on RIGHT NOW! It’s an amazing thing. When that sort of thing happens, everyone is happier, more kind to each other and less focused on themselves. It’s like we all just set all of our daily ‘baggage’ aside for a few moments to enjoy the event.
What I found was that this process is a great way to gain a better perspective for my future and how I want it to look. The more clearly I see the present and the good that is possible, the better I can see the positive direction and destination of my daily pursuits. I was also reminded of the importance of community. As much as I try to promote personal motivation, we should never loose site of the fact that improving OUR lives should only be the first step in the process. Helping others improve THEIR lives should also be a part of the picture.
So I just wanted to share this rewarding and fun experience with you guys. My goal is that the future of this blog will involve a healthy, growing community that is able to step out of their situations for a few moments to help each other out. And that as we enjoy the present, we are better suited to pursue our dreams for the future.
That sounds like a really good time.
@Writer Dad: We had a blast!
I agree. It’s important to get all your own ducks in a row first before you’re at a place where you’re able to help others…but there’s no doubt that helping other brings a true sense of completeness and everything comes full circle.
@Matt R.: Very true. Often times helping others has a way of actually helping us ‘get our ducks in a row’. Thanks for the great insight.
Wow. That is one of the awesomest things I’ve seen in a long time. What a way to put a smile on someone’s face. Who would’ve thought a stranger’s wife throwing veggie burgers at a cart would make me cry a little bit.
Speaking of really cool things, while I was typing this comment, my sister-in-law called to say her boyfriend proposed. Now I’m totally bawling.
@Naomi: I’m glad you enjoyed the video. It certainly a unique situation. Congratulations on the good news. I’m glad you stopped by and were able to connect with some of the content.