December 10, 2003
It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood - or is it?
Someone came to the door last night looking for missing children. My husband told him that we didn't have any and asked if it wasn't kind of late to be canvassing the neighbourhood. Okay, that's not exactly what happened but just about! Everywhere we go these days we are bombarded by canvassers, telemarketers, door knockers, bell ringers and email junkers. This time of year seems especially bad and so you can understand how I misunderstood about the guy at the door last night. Now don't get me wrong, I try to think of others and feel that I give what I can most of the time. I also feel that it is not always about money and that sometimes giving your time or an ear is worth just as much. But honestly, I am starting to resent what I feel is an invasion of my personal time and space. I know, bah, humbug, she's such a Scrooge! But I'm not and that's the problem. I feel bad whenever I say no. It has taken me years to be able to say no effectively. Oprah once said that 'no' is a complete sentence and that we never have to substantiate it. I try to live by this when I can. Still, I feel bad. When I pass by the Salvation Army collection ball, which is placed strategically at the top of all escalators at the mall, I feel like I should stop and explain that I gave to the ball two days ago when I was at the Gap and that last week I dropped some change in the ball at the other end of the mall when I was getting new underwear (at 40% off). But I usually just find something to stare at when I get to the top so that I don't have to make eye contact with the bell ringer or the ball. The other day, after passing by the ball yet again, I decided that I either had to stop going to the mall so much or I had to go complain to customer service. Those of you that know me can guess what I did.