Wal-Mart and Other Anomalies

It just seems unusual to me how many people shop at Wal-Mart no matter what hour you go into that store. But more importantly, if you shop there, does that make you one of "them?"

How often do we judge other people silently and with no other facts than first impresson of appearances to base our judgments on, we seem to be able to sum up all the qualities of those around us.

I personally would never do that anymore than I would go out to eat on a Saturday night. In fact, three serial killers and a redneck woman later I finally made it totally in the store had basket and was in route to the pharmacy. Not for prescriptons but for Breath Assure. What a first impression! Now who would have thought that it was possible but with a harsh realization of this little information tidbit, I started to understand that I too was one of "them." Yes, I am a discount shopper. I will drive across town to save three cents on gas. I do have my old favorite clothes and will wear them however mis-matched into the Wal-Mart and if it is summer, sometimes there will be flip flops too.

Sadly, this store is in my community. I might run into people that I work with. Do I want my boss to see me in a shirt that says, "I make my own gas." I could justify that statement is not too bad with prices like they are but when you add the can of baked beans to the message in the big picture it all tends to go downhill.

There is nothing left to do. I will own my status in this society and be proud that I too am a redneckily(if Bush can make up words so can I) dressed discount shopper. I will however not go into a place without first using a comb or a hat.

If I am like those fellow shoppers in appearance, I should consider what really counts. How parallel are our lives? Do they struggle to make ends meet now that almost $300 a month goes to those wonderful people at the oil companies? Do they have elderly grandparents that need help with their house and lives? What about their own families? How many hours do they spend going to ballgames and dance rehersals? Dogs or cats?

If their lives are like mine, then on what can I judge them? I guess nothing. And isn't that the way it should be? How much time do we waste judging people? What could we do with our thoughts if we used them in a more fruitful manner?

Of course, to quote one of those famous writings there is the concept of "Judge not lest ye be judged." Now reading and knowing that simple fact it should be easy to say that I should not judge others on a glance.

Sadly we are all more alike than I want to admit because no matter what I realized I will probably still snap judge in the Wal-Mart and other places just like everyone else. But at least now it will be with fresh breath.