I’m not a huge fan of shopping.  It kind of stresses me out and overwhelms me to be honest.  It’s not the type of thing I do for joy.  Many, many people enjoy shopping, and that’s cool.  It’s just not my thing.

Nevertheless, yesterday we journeyed to IKEA to pick out some fun things for our new raw vegan café:  Prana Raw, opening sometime after May 1st next to Prana Power Yoga Newton (3 doors down, where the Carpet Store was previously).

We had many things to find:  tables, chairs, china, silverware, glasses, light fixtures, a couch, and some comfy chairs (for the “Starbucks-ish” side of the café where you can hang out and drink coffee and smoothies).  I brought two of my friends with me to help make choices and navigate my way through the biggest store I’ve ever seen.

I allotted two hours at IKEA.  We were there five.  And left feeling a bit overwhelmed and exhausted.  It’s a beautiful, well laid out store and the things they sell are high quality and very reasonably priced, but my spirit isn’t down with five hours of consumerism—even if it is in the end to spread the light of raw vegan food to the Boston area.

But today, after 7 hours of sleep, waking before daylight to my son’s  little voice requesting “Coco Mama, coco!!” (chocolate pudding made from soaked cashews, sunflower seeds, avocado, raw cacao powder, agave, and Himalayan crystal salt), practicing, and teaching two classes, I am at a different place regarding the whole shopping spree experience.

I have a lot of gratitude for the founder of IKEA, for bringing all of that high quality stuff into one building, so I can choose from it quickly and easily and pay a reasonable price for things that cost a lot more elsewhere.  I have a lot of gratitude that I can purchase so many different things at one time in one place—not having to run to different stores for each item, because that might just put this Super-mom over the edge.  J

As I practice mindfulness on my path, I have learned to have a lot more gratitude for the people who bring together lots of resources so that I can enjoy the convenience of going to Wholefoods and Trader Joe’s to buy organic produce for my green lemonade; IKEA to buy furnishings for a Café that will help others to eat well and be healthier, happier, and more energized; and Pottery Barn Kids to buy “essentials” like a pink wooden stove for my three kids to play with. 

I jest with the word “essentials,” but not regarding the gratitude with which I now step into stores—even though I don’t have the “shopping gene.”  Practicing yoga has helped me to have mindfulness and gratitude for most any situation I am in, in fact.  Because it’s always my choice—to come from a place of gratitude, or some other lower vibration. 

So even—and especially—in a time of frustration, overwhelm-ment, anger, or irritation, stop—and ask yourself “What am I grateful for?”

And feel the situation–and your mood–lighten.