Wednesday, April 17, 2013

The price of accumulation

We know ourselves to be an acquisitive society -- why else would a phrase like "recreational shopping" be so familiar? But-- as another saying goes-- you can't take it with you. So unless you're using it, enjoying it, or plan on doing so in the immediate future, why acquire it in the first place, and why hang onto it?

Of course, one problem is human nature: those of us who find it easy to give stuff away have trouble understanding the depression you-never-know-when-you-might-need-it mentality of our hoarder friends and relatives. And they, in turn, worry that we may be too quick to let things go.

But the fact remains that the stuff we keep is stuff our kids will be tasked with sorting through when we're gone. And trust me--it's not nearly as much for for them as you might think...

So please: let it go. Your stuff, your old grudges, old hurts -- whatever you're holding on to -- give some serious thought to letting it go before it impacts the lives around you.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

In this blog, I am wondering if some of your "own stuff" is touching mine.
The word "depression".
When you wrote something to the effect that the one gone might think the one/s left are having "fun" going through their stuff.
I enjoy your blog each day. Today's just hit me!
You are amazing and I love your photography, honesty, ability to weave life's journey with artistic expression, your love for family, contemplative practice, etc! Blessings!