Mark Downs

I love a good mark down. This time of year gets me excited, with stores’ splashy CLEARANCE signs. Getting something for a fraction of its' worth is a thrill.
My husband couldn’t pass up a deal on a Reggie Bush Saints jersey, and he bought one for me. Previously marked $49.99, then $19.88, then $14.88, then $9.99 (and if he'd waited another week, it would have been $4.88). Why the change? Was it ever worth the 50 bucks? At one time, a jersey with Reggie Bush’s name on the back was "worth it" at any price. Except now, he has been traded to another team. We have a new wonder boy on the NFL team, and he is old news, and overpriced at that.
Why pay full price for anything, when the value of merchandise, and seemingly of people, is constantly changing?
Sometimes I treat myself as a mark down. I used to be priceless, but due to a botched performance, a disillusioning turn of events, or my own unmet expectations, I somehow see myself on the mark-down rack, with ever lowering prices. I am not merchandise. Neither is Reggie Bush, or anyone else. Our value is not altered based on our following, our perceived success, passing trends, or years of shelf life. What a relief!! My value is set and unalterable.
I think I'll use my new jersey as a reminder of this when I wear it for Sunday afternoon Saints games in our living room.