Just the Right Thing

Today was my last day in Spain. I did a cooking class during my trip and wanted to bring home a jar of Spanish smoked sweet paprika, or pimenton de la Vera dulce. 

It turned into a bit of an odyssey to find just the right thing. 

The first store had regular paprika and smoked paprika, but not the special pimenton de la Vera dulce. 

Close, but not the right fit. 

The second store had precisely what I was looking for, but it was by a brand I didn’t recognize as one of the top producers of such spice. It was priced at twice as much as I was expecting to pay. 

The right thing, but with red flags.

The third store had precisely what I wanted, by one of the leading brands, and for a price that felt appropriate. 

The right thing, with positive supporting indicators.

Shopping for paprika felt like trying to find just the right thing in other areas of life.

Except, unlike searching for a romantic partner or a rewarding career or suitable housing, it’s just paprika. There was no emotional roller coaster because spices don’t usually elicit such strong feelings. 

It takes a little time, and a few tries, to find just the right thing.