CRUMBS OF CANDOR: Hang on or let it go?

Published 11:30 am Saturday, February 24, 2024

Remember spring cleaning? That’s what used to top our agendas this time of year. It was a major project. Back in the day, after heating with coal or wood, the entire house was dirty. Window panes had a thick layer of blank gunk on them, like everything in the entire house.

Now, it feels like the time to get rid of stuff. My goodness, humans certainly accumulate more than dust. Every nook and cranny is filled with stuff we spent most of our lifetime gathering. I have a couple of rooms that appear to be occupied by hoarders.

Gradually, I’ve been moving out the old, without replacing it. No room and little need for new stuff to re-fill the space.

One practice I’ve adopted is anything I bring in, the same number of items must evacuate — evict them!

We don’t often need a larger home or to dwell in chaos — we simply need less stuff; plus there is spiritual danger in placing too much emphasis on material things. A bargain only occurs when you need the item. Keeping up with the Joneses is like a hamster running on the wheel.

Most of us own hundreds of things that we don’t want, need, use or appreciate. So why do we cling to them?

Some consider it throwing money away; after all, they spent money to get it. We really need to bite the bullet to decide to keep only items we consider useful or beautiful. In theory, it sounds easy enough.

Others view it as wasteful to get rid of anything we might possibly need or use in the future. Actually, it costs less to buy something you really do need than store it only to spend too much time keeping track of it.

Most of us have a sentimental streak. Keep the memories, take pictures of the things and symbols but let go of the worn out stuff. What will happen to it when you’re gone? A huge dumpster comes to mind.

Gifts are symbols of love. Cherish the love, but let go of gifts that no longer serve you.

If it’s too good to throw away, donate or sell it.

Remember, it’s just stuff, and you can’t take it with you into eternity.

A cluttered mind equates to a cluttered home. Possessions do not define us. Unstufficate now.

If you made a mistake buying it, you’ve already wasted money. It only becomes a reminder of that. We all make poor choices.

“Riches fill us with a thousand troubles in getting, caring and preserving, and yet more anxiety in spending them, and with grief in losing them,” said Saint Francis.

The less we have, the less we have to take care of and be concerned with. Stuff eats up time, resources and energy:

Possessions create clutter; it weighs us down emotionally. Some make demands by storing, repairing, protecting and cleaning them.

Time is the only irreplaceable commodity we have so excessive shopping, returning, repairing, cleaning and more can multiply the price.

Stop worrying about them wearing out. They will. Some will get broken or lost or stolen.

It requires time and effort to organize stuff. It’s much easier to find what we need when we have it organized and stored in the proper place.

Too much stuff makes us apologize for our mess, climb over stuff and can lead to arguments, while the right amount of stuff literally brings us more peace and harmony.

Things do not bring lasting happiness. It prevents us from living freely. Possessions have the power to own you rather that you owning them. Trying to keep up with the Joneses adds stress to relationships and financial stability. It leads to dissatisfaction and deteriorating mental and physical health.

Matthew 6:19-21 says, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

What is your true treasure; things that mean the most to you? After considering it, none can be bought. They don’t have a price, yet they are invaluable.

We can’t buy love, though cheap knockoffs can be readily available.

We can’t buy good health, especially once it’s lost.

We cannot buy true friends, though fake ones can fool us at times. They really are emotional vampires, sucking the joy right out of us.

On death beds, nobody has ever wished they’d spent more time at work. They wish they had spent more time with those they love.

Choose your treasures wisely and carefully.