The other night, I was having dinner with my friend Super-G. We were discussing shopping, and Target, and giant parking lots on frigid days. And the question: When everyone else leaves their shopping cart shoved off to the side of the lot, do you do the same, or do you take your cart back to the carrel?
I told G that I WANT to be someone who brings my cart back, even admitting that in an effort to prompt myself thus-ward, I sometimes ask, "
What Would Michelle Duggar Do?" Of course, Michelle was smart enough to have an army of kids to handle cart return for her, but I like to imagine Michelle on a rare trip out into the world alone, tempted (as we all are) to leave her cart shoved up on the median so she can get back in her nice warm car. But Michelle, of course, returns the cart. Because she is a woman of excellence...and (let's be honest) because she lives in Arkansas and everyone has more time there. But I feel a sense of camaraderie with her as I weave my cart between the minivans & snowbanks to return it to its intended place.
This would be noble if it were evidence of my overall character--a small part of a greater whole. But really, it's only area where I'm even trying...and I'm relying on a reality TV star for help. Laughing with Super-G, I realized that if I want my gravestone to say more than
"Here lies a woman who always put her cart back," I need a better plan.
When I found out we were going to be foster parents, I ordered a series of children's books about developing character. They're smart and charming, with various qualities explained in terms of woodland creatures and how their unique characteristics help them thrive. They're also, I discovered, designed for kids quite a bit older than Princess Peach.
So I've been reading them. They have me wondering what a few minutes of thought, prayer & planning around character might offer in terms of quality of life.
And this: What if we work on becoming better people--people who put our cart back at Target--not just because it makes us nicer to others, but because it makes it more enjoyable to be us?
I'll be back tomorrow to share (read: admit my total embarrassment) about the character quality I used to have, but now can't seem to find.
