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Life In The Middle Today By Colleen Pulley

Getting The Saturday's Market Into Your Life

September is one of my favorite times of the year. It signals the beginning of the Harvest Season. It means wearing a light jacket and putting away the light weight Summer clothes. It says, remember, you only have 100 shopping days until Christmas! Slowly the greens are turning reds, yellows, golds and browns.

One place you see signs of the harvest and Fall are at the Saturday Markets. There are lots of zucchini, cabbage, and other roots crops. The flower stands are filled with Zinnia’s. Warm pies, hot soups, and warm apple cider remind us that soon the Saturday Market season will be closed until next year.

These markets offer good buys for fresh products bought directly from the grower. This alone is enough to draw people. However, there is some else going on. I believe there is nostalgia associated with these markets. I think there is a desire in many people to connect with the simple feeling from the past which these markets offer. People can go there and for a few hours slow the clock down. They like to feel the vegetables and fruits the farmers’ have displayed. They want to get a big bouquet of colorful Zinnias and set them on their kitchen tables. They want to sip freshly made warm cider, and chat with people about their recipe for zucchini bread.

Unfortunately, the real world is waiting for them when they leave that Saturday’s Market. There are family concerns, money issues, and job insecurities. Throw in the blaring radio, televisions, and elevator music, along with traffic jams, and crying kids in the back seat of the car and it’s welcome to 2007 folks.

It’s no wonder some smart folks have made themselves millionaires by creating a market in all things Organic and Natural. They are playing on that inner desire of people to reach back in time, as well as the desire of many people today to have good health. Such people seek a healthy diet, and will spend extra money to get the “organically” grown and “ All Natural” product. They know these people want choice fresh fruits and vegetables. They want meat from cows raised on the range; and chickens raised by farmer’s in the barnyard, not on massive chicken farms where they’re fed hormones and chemicals.

There is nothing wrong with the desire for organic or all natural foods. However, this should be kept in balance with other concerns. I personally think that things are pretty messed up when I see people who only want a chicken that has been raised and fed “Natural and Organic”, but they have kids who are over weight, marriages that are empty, debt that is keeping them working long hours, and no savings for when hard times come. They think they are ‘in control’, but they haven’t got everything in balance as much as they think. Meanwhile, the marketing advertisers have simply tweaked the commercials to get them to buy their healthy products.

Me? Yes, I wear synthetic fibers, consume vegetables that are not labeled ‘Organic’, and don’t shop only at Nature’s Market. Generally speaking, I think whether I get vegetables that last only three days before I need to eat them, is not as important as concentrating my time and energy on keeping an inner balance. I have some advice for all you people out there trying to have a little more of the inner peace you sense at the Saturday’s Market. Utilize these markets if you want, but also utilize the conveniences that regular shopping provides. Don’t spend a lot of time and extra money looking for specific natural foods or brands. Then you’ll have more time and money to spend with your spouse and children, and be able to focus on what is really important in life.

Let this Harvest Season be the one you spend time setting some goals for the things you want from life. A new school year is a perfect chance for you to really get that Saturday’s Market attitude into your life. Slow down the pace and enjoy the moments of your life. Let there be balance in your shopping and your life. Think and plan for a better future where you have more control over your time and priorities, and thus your life. To your success... Colleen

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