SHOPPING TROLLEY

THE VERDE WORD

Hunting and Gathering in the 21st Century

Life is like a supermarket, it is a constant state of change.  Like life, many new and different things are happening all the time.  There are new events, products and displays that are very tempting.  This is like life.  As constant change continues, we must adapt for survival.

The tools of hunter-gathers centuries ago were spears and, bows and arrows.  The hunter had to act fast or the game would bound away over the countryside never to be seen again.

In today's civilised world, the hunting and gathering tools are the shopping trolley and the flat piece of plastic in our wallets.

So, with the change and adaptation to our civilised modern world of hunter-gathering, lets take the challenge and view the opportunities for 'game' in the local supermarket.

Let's see what's on special, grab our trolley and tackle the shopping!

                                                       

Ok, as is customary, we start at the fruit and veggies...mmm..look at that delicious celery! and it is on special at 75cents a bunch!  Mmmmm..mmmmmmmmm.  Think I'll come back later.

Down past the smallgoods, the glorious smokey smell of the ham, continental sausages, cheese, olives and salami, love this great aroma!

Oh look, the fresh Atlantic salmon is on special..50% off...gosh, now that is a good buy, I'll come back to that as well the celery after I have all my other stuff.  Through the tinned goods, around to packaged cereals, no...too much sugar and salt,  I'd rather yoghurt and fruit for breakfast.

Down the next aisle full of personal items, soap, toothpaste, vitamins, deodorant yes, I need deodorant, into the trolley it goes.  Down to toilet paper wow, four dollars off, that will make some bum happy, I'll come back to that as well.

The freezer section, ice-cream, I have to avoid that, far, far too addictive for me.  Mind you, some French vanilla would be lovely.  Be strong, be strong, save my money for the specials, what were they?

Oh yes, Celery is on special, 50% off fresh Atlantic salmon and toilet paper only $3.50.  It is a rule of thumb with toilet paper isn't it?  No matter how much you have at home, if it is on special, buy it!

Bit like a tourist bus really.  If you see a toilet, you go regardless because you never know when the next opportunity will come.

Time passes and your trolley has most of the things you normally buy at normal prices.  The time has come to retrace your steps and pick up the 'on-special' toilet paper, Atlantic salmon and the luscious celery.  The hunter gatherer of the 21st century is on a roll with her tools of a trolley and a piece of plastic whilst taking advantage of opportunities of price drops and modern products.

However, while gathering we return to the toilet paper.  All that is left are the rolls at normal price, then to the fresh Atlantic salmon, all that that is left of that are the small and left-over pieces.  What of the celery?  It still looks fresh but there are now only smaller bunches that look a bit battered as they were squished under weight of the really good bunches.

  

So, in a manner of speaking, the hunter and gather's game or quarry had bounded away never to be seen again.

So the question is do you want:

• Celery at 75 cents or $1.25 a bunch
• Atlantic salmon at $6.00 or $12.00 a pound
• Toilet paper at $3.50 or $5.00

THE KEY

• Recognise opportunities when they arise
• Accept opportunities when they arise
• Allow for an opt-out option just in case

It is important to be able to recognise and act on opportunities when they arise.  If things you use are on special, put them in your trolley because as you come closer to the check-out if you decide you don't want them, you can always put them back.  However, without putting them in your trolley in the first place, there is no choice of keeping or disposing of the products.  The decision to not make a selection when the opportunity arises will prohibit your options.

THE PHILOSOPHY

Standing by the ocean, the cool icy water brushes against, over and under your feet. The water continually washes the sand away from under you.  Whilst standing still, it is not long before you are calve deep in the water.  Without moving your feet, you sink deeper and deeper.  Constant change to which we must adapt, this is life.  We must move our feet to the sands of time.

As humanity is undergoing continual and constant change, the best chance for survival is to recognise, accept, adapt, grow and move forward. Those who recognise, accept, adapt, grow and move forward are those who recognise opportunities and act upon them.  Those who act upon opportunities are those who hold the best chance for survival, positive progress and success.

Verde