… most of us love a good bargain, BOGOF (buy one get one free), eat as much as you can, the sales, the discounts, the freebies, less than half prices etc. Business use it to break into new market, introduce new products, shift slow selling ones etc but it is rarely forever, it is usually for a season and things go back to normal.
In relationships we do the same, we are new in a group, in the area, we are unsure, we are the new kid on the block and we open ourselves up, we reach out, we smile at people, we go out of our way, we lower our gaze, we take and accept things we wouldn’t take normally. We give our time, our energy, our applause, our goodwill, our effort for free or at a discount.
However a time comes, when the sale is over, no more discount, no more freebies, everything has to be paid for and at full price. Friendship now cost and requires reciprocating, applause is earned by effort, good effort, access to private space is now by invitation and not anyone can just barge in. There is a gate fee to be paid, toll is collected before entrance as promotion is over, no longer free for all.
There was a time of ‘ignorance’ when everyone was in everyone’s business, but the time of ignorance has now been winked at, this is the time of repentance, when those that want to be in our lives must behave as such, there is no compulsion to relationship. Someone once said ‘friendship is not by force’ and how true! A time comes when people have to pay their way into our lives, ‘free for all’ time is over. Twenty children can not play together forever. The time of childishness we have to put aside and start digging our teeth into strong relationship bones. We are not milk for people to slurp their absent minded unconscious tongue into. We are better and deserve better.
It is about protecting ‘brand self’ top brands would rather destroy merchandise than sell it at a discount. Whilst I don’t necessarily agree with this practice, I understand the principle behind brand protection. At the end of the day we owe a duty to ourself to protect the essence and beauty of who we are, as no one will do the job for us. The brand owner must protect his brand. To Him whom much is given much is required. Much is given to us and much protection is required. We are pearl, we are diamond, we are priceless, all we are, is not to be cast before swine.
We still open shop, we still are people lovers, we are still good decent people, however there is a price tag and the full price have to be paid, even to come before the throne of grace, we still have to come with boldness and confidence. To receive salvation, we still have to believe in our heart and confess with our mouth, there is a price to be paid. Without running the risk of repeating myself, discount is over, there are no more samples, testers, tasters, samplers. Those times are over, buy if you want and even if you want and can’t afford it then sorry the price is the price. It is as simple as that.
Horses for courses, we will never be everyone’s cup of tea and that has to be acceptable. The true boutique shops are not full of crowd, whilst they run promotion sometimes, it is not all year round. It makes no sense to position ourselves as the discount store, the 99p shop, we end up attracting undesirable elements in the mix.
Without arrogance and puffiness, whilst still giving acknowledgement to our maker, let us walk like kings, princess and prince that we truly are.
Promotion over! Promo code expired!
Beautiful Ivory 