http://www.theexaminingroom.com/2010/03/the-unbearable-heartache-of-shopping/ A physician's commentary on current issues in medicine, clinical research, health and wellness. Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:10:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.theexaminingroom.com/2010/03/the-unbearable-heartache-of-shopping/comment-page-1/#comment-811 johnson Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:31:29 +0000 http://www.theexaminingroom.com/?p=675#comment-811 Loving the Milan Kundera reference. Loving the Milan Kundera reference.

]]> http://www.theexaminingroom.com/2010/03/the-unbearable-heartache-of-shopping/comment-page-1/#comment-785 Kendra Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:32:06 +0000 http://www.theexaminingroom.com/?p=675#comment-785 What a delightful story. The man seems to be my mental twin. I experience the same type of anxiety about entering into retail establishments, surrounded by the overwhelming quantity of "stuff to buy," and feeling the same sense of pity for the retail workers. Actually, I have worked in retail before, and it nearly broke my soul. I can't even bring myself to enter shopping malls anymore. Well written! What a delightful story. The man seems to be my mental twin. I experience the same type of anxiety about entering into retail establishments, surrounded by the overwhelming quantity of “stuff to buy,” and feeling the same sense of pity for the retail workers. Actually, I have worked in retail before, and it nearly broke my soul. I can’t even bring myself to enter shopping malls anymore. Well written!

]]> http://www.theexaminingroom.com/2010/03/the-unbearable-heartache-of-shopping/comment-page-1/#comment-784 Celeste Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:48:50 +0000 http://www.theexaminingroom.com/?p=675#comment-784 The existential pain of living la vida retail...I totally get this. I have had exactly that thought about what if I could just buy it all, and make a merchant's day. However I know that they would just re-stock and keep going, because it never, ever ends. The existential pain of living la vida retail…I totally get this. I have had exactly that thought about what if I could just buy it all, and make a merchant’s day. However I know that they would just re-stock and keep going, because it never, ever ends.

]]> http://www.theexaminingroom.com/2010/03/the-unbearable-heartache-of-shopping/comment-page-1/#comment-780 robin andrea Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:57:55 +0000 http://www.theexaminingroom.com/?p=675#comment-780 It is hard work for the heart to notice the wearying everyday-ness of the world. Each of those lives with their burdens and bill collectors doing the modern day dance to secure the age-old necessities: food, shelter, and clothing. It was much more immediate when 10,000 years ago we spent the long hours gathering and hunting. Now we humans do this-- anonymous, anxious, alone-- straightening the shoes and carefully displaying the jeans, hoping someone will want these inanimate fruits. It is hard work for the heart to notice the wearying everyday-ness of the world. Each of those lives with their burdens and bill collectors doing the modern day dance to secure the age-old necessities: food, shelter, and clothing. It was much more immediate when 10,000 years ago we spent the long hours gathering and hunting. Now we humans do this– anonymous, anxious, alone– straightening the shoes and carefully displaying the jeans, hoping someone will want these inanimate fruits.

]]> http://www.theexaminingroom.com/2010/03/the-unbearable-heartache-of-shopping/comment-page-1/#comment-778 micah Sun, 07 Mar 2010 02:06:39 +0000 http://www.theexaminingroom.com/?p=675#comment-778 I know how this poor wife feels dragging a man like this along. Are you bribed with "Chick fil a" like my husband? I know how this poor wife feels dragging a man like this along. Are you bribed with “Chick fil a” like my husband?

]]> http://www.theexaminingroom.com/2010/03/the-unbearable-heartache-of-shopping/comment-page-1/#comment-775 Chrys Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:02:31 +0000 http://www.theexaminingroom.com/?p=675#comment-775 I'm glad you're back. I’m glad you’re back.

]]> http://www.theexaminingroom.com/2010/03/the-unbearable-heartache-of-shopping/comment-page-1/#comment-771 Cat Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:24:36 +0000 http://www.theexaminingroom.com/?p=675#comment-771 I know how this poor man feels. An excellent piece, Dr. Charles. I know how this poor man feels. An excellent piece, Dr. Charles.

]]>