Need vs. Want

The flowers got me thinking about need vs. want.  What do I need? What do I want? What is the difference and where do the two meet?

I try to live in a way where I am conscious of these two concepts.  I guess we can agree; food, shelter and clothing are the basics of needs. I want good food and a nice glass of wine to accompany it but I just need enough calories to sustain me, a house that I feel secure and comfortable in - I only need a place to cover my head and keep me warm, and clothing I feel ‘cute’ wearing, well, enough said - definitely a want. As I reflect I see I really have much more than I ever need and really, few of my wants ever go without being fulfilled. Lucky. 

And this brings me back to the flowers. I went to Ash Wednesday Mass at Christ Our Hope (http://christourhopeseattle.org/site/Home.html), the newest church in the Archdiocese of Seattle.  Located in the Josephium, a building that has gone from the heights of luxury to the depths of almost destruction, also doubles as a homeless shelter.  The new church is centered on volunteerism, service, outreach and inclusion of all people.  In the lobby one of the resident pointed out to me huge bags of flowers. Apparently florist at Pike Place Market send their "past pull date" flowers to the lobby of the Josephium every week.  Thrusting a bouquet of slightly wilted-looking roses in my hand she remarked, “They’re free, come back and get more each week.”  I brought them home, trimmed off the dead and discolored petals, and placed them in vases.  I've enjoyed seeing them and my inner miser has felt especially happy.  

How many other things do I overlook because they are shopworn, out of style, or I’m just plain bored with? Thinking about it, I could live for a year without buying anything other than perishables. I suspect I could find beauty in all sorts of free things with just a little extra effort. Maybe I'll ponder that - or at least try a little harder to be mindful of my needs vs. wants.