Letting Go
Have you ever looked around and think how in the world did I get so much stuff? Like things? Junk.. everywhere!? Expensive and cheap junk! We seek after stuff, things that we believe will bring us fulfillment, belonging, and joy. Admiring what other people have starts at a young age, more so with your peers than family.
I can recall growing up in the late eighties and early nineties. If you didn’t own stone washed denim, Mc hammer pants, guess jeans and a pair of Ked sneakers you were not considered a cool kid. Having a lot of cool things at a young age starts to make you believe that what you own defines who you are.
People who seem to have everything appear to be somebody, to everybody. So, you set out to collect as many trophies as you can get, so you can look and feel like somebody too! But, at some point you begin to realize the excitement that you get from owning so many cool things wear off, and that too many things can become more of a burden than a blessing. But instead of freeing ourselves we hold on and keep collecting more stuff.
Letting go can be scary…
What will people say if we no longer have a prestigious career, wear designer clothes, drive a luxury vehicle, or live in a huge home? No one wants to appear as if their life is going backwards but having so much can tax you mentally. There’s a scripture that says, where your treasure is, your heart will be there also.
I am at a place in life where I want to free myself from having too much stuff. I want to live clutter free and place my value and admiration elsewhere. No, I’m not about to go purchase a tiny home decorate it all white and become a minimalist! I like being comfortable, and I love convenience as much as the next person. I don’t think it’s wrong to want nice things. But having too much of it can hold you captive. I want to enjoy my life because its moving way too fast.
I have always desired a simple peaceful life. Trying to obtain that has been more of an elusive dream, because once you have so many things you become dependent on them in some way. I was in my closet one day and realized that it’s filled with clothes and shoes I hardly wear.
There are two sections in my closet that I frequent when choosing what to wear, and everything else goes unworn for at least 6 months to a year. That’s crazy! One morning, I just got fed up. I grabbed trash bags and began tossing clothes and shoes in them. I didn’t think too long because I knew I would try to hang on to some things. When I finished I had at-least three 30-gallon trash bags full of stuff. I quickly took them and threw them in the trunk of my car to donate later. This small act immediately freed up space in my mind. I felt so much lighter, and I begin to think I really want to do this with everything in my life!
How many gifts and talents would you be able to tap into if your mind wasn’t bogged down by things. How much more would your real purpose unfold if you let go of the “more is more” mentality?
As the saying goes, “Life is short”, why waste it obsessing over things you own, or don’t own?
Right now, begin taking small steps to free yourself. Start letting go and see how much more valuable you truly are.
