With all the heavy rains last winter, we got flooded pretty bad here so we are repairing flood damage in our downstairs room right now. That room is my primary man cave where I mostly drink beer, watch TV and practice my instruments so the disruption is pretty traumatic for me.
Maybe the worst thing about the whole process is that we have to relocate a lot of stuff that was minding its own business just fine but now we have to relocate it so they can lay down the new floor. Having to relocate stuff forces you to the brutal reality of asking yourself the question: why do I have all this stuff anyway?
Listen to Tim:
I have never been happier in life than the time when I could cram all of my personal belongings into a 1961 Volkswagen Beetle. Well I was fifty years younger and that helps. But more than that, there is a certain freedom that you lose when you are controlled by your possessions. I’m not a hoarder by any means but in some sense I am controlled by the things I own in a way that limits my freedom.
The CBA Fall Campout in Lodi just ended. What a great get together! People came with various accommodations. Some splurged on local motels (I wonder if anybody was brave enough to brave a stay at the “Single L” motel nearby). Others camped in everything from simple tents to huge RVs or just slept in the back of their SUV.
I camped in my little teardrop trailer and that was plenty of luxury for me. My Sophronie is all I need. With a pop up shade and a few chairs I was ready for hosting a jam or walking to a good one. And one thing I noticed was that a couple of friends, traveling without their spouses and who own nice RVs, chose to downsize to a more fuel efficient simpler alternative because it was just them and creature comforts became less important.
It feels very therapeutic to cast off excess stuff that you have never used for years and will probably never use again. Donate it or just toss it if there’s no possible use for it. When I die my heirs will be burdened with trying to cope with the issue of what to do with all the stuff they have suddenly acquired. Some things have sentimental value. Some things were useful in the past but are now obsolete. The decision about what to keep and what to get rid of is difficult but if it has no sentimental value and you haven’t used it in years you probably should find a better home for it.
Stuff is just stuff we have. It does not define us. But what about that little do dad I am not quite sure about? I think I will just keep it.
