THE BIG EVENT- David Bentley's weekly column

One of the biggest, annual, social and educational events of the year took place on our island last week. Like the County Fair, this event is anticipated all year long and involves many volunteers. Unlike the fair, however, only dues-paying, card-carrying members can attend. Even so, people arrive early and wait in long lines to be admitted.

This Friday night "pre-sale event" for the annual library used book sale held on Saturday is hugely popular. Proceeds support library programs and materials, books get recycled rather than thrown away, and there are usually a good number of books left for the actual sale on Saturday. In order to attend, however, one must purchase a membership in the Friends of the San Juan Island Library.

Some of the sale books are culled from the library collection to make space for new acquisitions. Others are donated by island residents and businesses. An army of volunteers sort the books throughout the year and transport them to the elementary school for the sale. They're arranged on and under tables by categories, and sold by the inch. Customers have their stack of books measured at the cashier's table. "Clearance sales" are announced from the floor just like "blue light specials."

People laugh and playfully push each other aside. Some tell friends about books they think that person would be interested in buying. Everyone shows off their bargains, and many recognize books that they purchased at last year's sale.

Our community recycles more than just books. We have several outlets for used clothing, more garage sales than most people would ever want to attend, a recycling center at the county dump, and rumors of the expected return of our magazine exchange.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have big, fun-filled, community-supported events for the disposal of the non-material items we want to discard from our lives?

Do you hold onto non-material items you no longer need?
What are some of the thoughts attitudes, beliefs, and emotions you'd like to discard?
How could you dispose of them in a fun-filled way?
Who could support you in doing this?

David Bentley, M.Ed. & Personal Coach, coaches clients through the game of life, helping them find balance, clarity of direction, and purpose in an ever-changing world.

You may contact him at 360.378.8436

by e-mail at david@coachbentley.com

or visit his Web site: www.coachbentley.com

news @sanjuanislander.com

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