Use the good stuff

In every household, there is the so called ‘good stuff’. You know; the things that only come out when there are special guests or a party or at Christmas. Those special tea cups which have been in the family for 30 years; that white linen tablecloth no one has seen for decades; those silk bed sheets you were saving for CHOGM - all the things no one ever uses because they are for a special occasion.
I have my own pile of good stuff - perfume that was given to me over a year ago; shiny black high-heeled shoes which were meant to be worn last Valentine’s day; even a pair of white linen trousers which I was saving for a special day at the beach. The funny thing is, when I tried the trousers on yesterday they do not fit any more. So they will have to be given away without ever having been worn.
My son and nephew have an art set containing coloured paper, colours, crayons and markers. They love to draw and to make cards for their friends. I always tell them to use plain paper from a book and only use the crayons because we are saving the markers and the glitter for the really special occasions, like making birthday cards.
However, my boys do not understand what I am talking about. ALL their friends are special every single day, birthday or not. And so they use the gold glitter and cover every work of art with Spiderman stickers and everything else they can find to add. They even manage to decorate the tables, walls and their toys. etc.
Initially I was upset, but after a while I thought, why not? Why not use the good stuff when you want to and make even the boring things and the regular days special? I spent a lot of 2009 waiting for a special day and not many came my way. I think it gives us a sense of importance when we have something to look forward to. But once in a while you just have to break out of routine and make the day special for yourself. Wear that dress, have dinner at a restaurant, visit friends you have not seen in a while even if it will inconvenience you, have a glass of that vintage whisky  - don’t let all the ‘good stuff’ collect dust on your shelves.
I am not asking you to go and spend your children’s college fund. Just remind yourself that you are special and you’re alive right now, right here. You deserve some of the good stuff too.
Published on Sunday, January 3, 2009