“I am not getting square plates,” were the words I mumbled as I headed out the door last Saturday morning in search of new dinnerware.  Fours hours later I came home with square plates. 

 We needed new plates.  For ten years – except for holidays – we used the same off-white, round plate trimmed with blue.  Yes, they are tasteful, sturdy, go with anything, but I wanted a change – add some color, spice things up.  However, a square plate?  That would be like eating in a restaurant every night with fancy plates.  I couldn’t do that, that would be trendy – a waste, we have kids…or could I? 

 Then store after store I kept getting pulled to the square plates.  They were different, colorful and oh so cool.  I looked at the round plates sitting next to the square and I thought – do I want what I’m used to, or do I want to feel like I am in a restaurant every night? 

 Needless to say, my beautiful Mexican plates make me smile with their soft blues, reds, and greens each night as we, family of four, dine gracefully on anything from goulash to pizza squares.  Sometimes pushing your boundaries a little can help you see things in a totally new way. 

 So don’t be so tied to your opinions – you may discover they can sometimes get in the way of simple pleasures and happiness…