Stuff and Dust
Sorry I have been slacking on my Wave. I have suddenly had to push into over drive, as I get ready to take on the next chapter of my life. I am moving to Hawaii to start my career as a Geophysics Grad Student. I should be on my way the first part of June…
As I take off on my new adventure I am considering carefully the baggage I will be taking (both literally and figuratively). Oh, the stuff we accumulate and attribute sentimental value to. How much do we really value most of it when the only time we think of it is when we discover a dusty relic in some forgotten corner? Moving to Hawaii makes this so much more apparent. I cannot just rent a Uhaul, and shipping is expensive. I begin to realize just how much stuff can tie me down. The early pioneers did not have much room on their wagons for non-essential things. One or two non-functional sentimental items were what they took. I am sure, however, that they cherished those items and did not forget them in some corner.
I have begun my third great culling, and boxes are going away. As I reprioritize my life in the wake of my last adventure and the bow shock of the new, I am able to discard stuff that has no more use or would distract me from my goals. I think that if most people would look at what are really their current most important goals, that half of the stuff in their house would suddenly be seen as just obstacles and distractions. The act of holding on to stuff is an attempt to hold onto the past. The more stuff one holds onto the more he exists in the past, and the harder it is to live in the present and move into the future. I am not saying that the past is not important but it should not become a sand trap. Our brains are quite capable of retaining the past. And when the brain can no longer do that, of what importance is the stuff for it will have been forgotten as well. As they say, we enter the world with nothing and we leave with nothing (at least in the material sense).
Do not let inanimate become substitutes for the living. Clear out the attic and closets, and make room for life – the fresh ever-changing life that is ahead of us all. There are more memories to be stored and more stuff to entice us. Hold onto the former, and let slip the latter. Focus on the important and live a freer more rewarding life.
– And don’t worry, I am keeping the photo albums and family heirlooms but the shoebox of random photos that did not get selected for the albums has been tossed.
From with in some old box,
Orion