Breaking the Mold

When I woke up this morning, I had two equally important tasks that needed to get done right away. I needed to take my dog, Sophie, for a walk and I needed to go to the pharmacy to fill a prescription for my daughter (which we received from the ER doctor the night before – long story that will not be told here).

Efficient as I am, I decided to kill two birds with one stone and do both at the same time. That way, the prescription could be filled while I finished walking Sophie and then I could return later to pick it up.

I determined that the best approach would be to go up to the drive-through window, because I didn’t think the Walgreens people would look kindly on a rambunctious Bichon Frise romping through their store. I wondered briefly as I walked the block and a half up to the pharmacy what others would think if they saw me promenading up to the drive-through, but then I decided I didn’t care. In fact, it would be a fun social experiment to break the mold and do something unexpected.

I was kind of relieved (and disappointed at the same time) that there were no cars in line. Sophie and I walked boldly up to the window and rang the bell. The attendant approached the window with a confused expression which quickly transformed into a smile. She laughed and said something about expecting to see a car. We then proceeded with our business and she informed me that I could pick up the medicine in 10-15 minutes.

On the walk home, I reflected on this seemingly benign action. Walking through the drive-through. Breaking the mold. Daring to be different. Brightening someone’s day.

I realized that this is what simple living is all about. Those of us who have chosen to break out of the American Dream mold must dare to be different.  We must challenge the established rules about where to live, how to get from point A to point B, and the definition of “success.”

We are rebels. We are breaking the mold every day. By not buying the biggest and baddest house we can afford. By biking and walking rather than driving. By doing what we love rather than doing what’s going to get us the biggest paycheck each month.

And in the end, we can only hope that we bring a smile to somebody’s face in the meantime. Whether that be the pharmacy technician on the other side of the drive-through window or the child across the globe who is able to go to school because we shared some of our wealth.

How are you breaking the mold? I would love to hear from you!

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