I've never really enjoyed clothes shopping. Ever since I was little, and my mom would drag me to stores to take my clothes on and off and on and off and so forth, I had trouble understanding how this made some people really happy. As an adult, I found that it was hard to find clothes that felt like they fit my body right; some stores had music too loud, and I felt overpowered and unable to concentrate. I began to learn that when I would go shopping, I had to plan, to maintain my energy - ie, go to the store when the energy is calmer, when it felt really intuitively right and not just because it is on the 'to-do' list. I also learned the importance of proper food and rations before heading out into the shopping storm. I meditate a lot, and work with trying not to see the other shoppers as separate and grabby and in my way. It is taking practice, but I feel progress coming.

I have adopted a new practice when I shop - that is, not to buy anything unless I absolutely love it. There are times when I buy an article of clothing, like last week, and something about that article of clothing is just not right, or the salesperson is life-negative. I walked out of the store after such an experience last week, and when I got home I discovered that the security-tag is still on the sweater, necessitating now that I go back and have it pulled off. Whew!

Flash forward to the shirt I bought this week - and I feel this is a good guidepost for me! When I walked in the store, I Felt Happy there. The energies were relaxed, the other shoppers were relational, and salespeople felt genuinely happy. I was drawn to a particular shirt, and when I put it on, I felt every cell in my body sing, and deeply relax. It felt like 'me.' No struggle, no strain. When I wear this shirt, or even see it hanging in the closet, it is a trigger for Happiness for me. I need that in all of my wardrobe choices. And when I wear this shirt, odd as it may seem, I feel Happier, feel like more of my self, as if I like myself more.

The clothing company is called One World, and the tag reads..."Being relaxed and comfortable with everyone and everything. Each day is special event to be received in a unifying way. Treat the world with the respect and love you want for yourself, and enjoy wearing our clothes." This feels like a prayer to me.....beautiful.