Sunday on my way to church, I ran into Office Depot on Palm Bay Road to quickly drop off  a print order.  As it turned out, they couldn’t check anyone out.   As we stood in line thinking the registers would be up any minute, we all chatted with each other.    About 20 minutes later, we learned all the computers were down.  The clerk took my print order since no computers were involved, and I was on my merry way.  Well, not so merry at that point, since I was now too late to go to either of two churches I was headed.  When I miss church,  I miss a week’s worth of social interaction in person with friends, so I try to go each week.   I stopped by a friend’s place and I told him the reason I was so late.  He told me he didn’t like Office Depot and would never go back to them.  They’d made a big mistake  on a high dollar item he’d purchased, and he did not have a good experience with customer service.  We talked about that for a few minutes before I realized since I just put a print order in with Office Depot and wanted to attract a good experience, I’d better get out of that complaining vibe real quick and turn it around.  

I was surprised when I got a call two hours later that the job was done.  I usually have to wait 48 hours.  I picked up the order and it was all wrong and has to be redone.  it’s not like i didn’t see that coming.   I attracted it by complaining in the first place and then listening to my friend’s story. I paid for the job so I could take it to Staples and show them what not to do.

In defense of Office Depot, I have used them for years, no problems ever, best prices most times.  I just never used their print shop before.  My confusion over what I wanted and the choices available to me  allowed me to attract what I attracted.  I can’t act like I don’t know I’m responsible for attracting everything I ever attract.  I know better.

Then I thought, except for the wanting-to-get-to-church-before-it’s-over factor, I did not have a bad experience at Office Depot despite the long wait.  I ran the waiting-in-line-talking scene through my mind to see what might be the deeper reason for us all to be thrown together.

The man behind me had a girl about 6 that was whining and begging him to buy her a ladybug pillow and threatening to scream if he didn’t.  The woman in front of me was dressed in Jamaican garb and wearing a necklace being admired by the cashier, so of course I wanted to see it, too.  It was a stylized pendant of a marijuana leaf with the words “Legalize it.”  When one customer rolled her eyes, I piped in and reminded them that wanting repeal of prohibition isn’t just about getting high.  Cannabis is a natural medical treatment.  Many friends suffering from chronic pain, from cancer, MS, rheumatoid arthritis and mood swings of bi-polar could not tolerate mainstream medications.  Marijuana helped them to manage their symptoms, their constant pain and nausea and to ease the anxiety of having a terminal condition.    And legalization is not just about the medicinal side, it’s also about getting industrial hemp growing in this country again.

A few other customers piped in about knowing someone who had been helped.  At this point there were about 20 of us in the line.  Right after this, the cashier took my print order and I was on my way.  I find it hard to believe this whole scenario was orchestrated just so that a few people in line could discuss legalization of pot.  I’m not an activist by any means, I just felt compelled to say what I said.

Of course throughout the entire discussion, the little girl was whining and crying and causing a fuss and the dad was ignoring her.   So I don’t know what the cosmic reason for the snafu was but I’m sure it will make itself known to me before it’s all over.

You know, it’s always alright in the end and, if it’s not alright, it’s not the end.

Andrea

UPDATE:  48 hours later: I just got back from Staples where I picked up my print job and ran into a snowbird who ten years ago offered to buy my mobile home at Holiday Park. He asked if I was ready to sell yet. I told him no, but that it will be available for rent next month. Hmmm, is the universe telling me to sell it???  I hope not, it’s a nice lil source of easy income.