Day 242, August 30

Have you noticed that we frequently prize those things for which we have paid outrageous sums? Case in point: a number of years ago, I purchased a coat at a retail store. (This was before I started garage sailing and earned the title of Garage Sale Queen.) The coat was not particularly flattering; nor did it wear well. But I couldn't bring myself to get rid of it. After all, I had paid lots of money for it. Eventually, I did donate it to a thrift store with the hope that someone else might enjoy it more than I did.

Much later, I found a lovely coat at a garage sale. I paid the princely sum of a nickel for it. I love that coat. I love everything about it, including the price. For mere pennies, I had purchased a quality garment that I've worn for five years and will continue to wear for many years.

Pondering upon this set me to thinking about what I value. As much as I love my nickel coat, I recognize that it is not important. A friend has a plaque in her home with the saying, "The most important things in life are not things."

What is important? Family. Friends. Faith. Relationships. Loyalty. Compassion. Honesty. Kindness. The list goes on. I can't purchase any of these at retail stores or at garage sales. Nor can I put a price on them. With them, I am rich no matter matter what my checking account says. Without them, I am poor no matter what my checking account says.

So, for today, I am grateful for things that have no price.