Fru-Gal Friends

Very Valuable Member Joined : 12 Oct 2006 Posts : 368

Sunday Sermon

I struggle with letting go of stuff. I know. It's ridiculous. But there's something about the kids' best work from kindergarten, the Certificates of Excellence, trophies from Little League, toys from childhood, to say nothing of all the crafts and keepsakes. You have no idea how much stuff like that accumulates in my house.

Or maybe you do.

My problem is reconciling the fact that just because these things don't fit into my life anymore doesn't mean they weren't a part of it.

I have found a solution that's working for me. I've begun photographing all the good stuff as a way to preserve the memory. Now I'm able to pitch the dust collectors, the box fillers and the closet stuffers.

Digital pictures can be easily organized on my computer and then burned to a disc. This way I have all of the memories, plus lots of empty closets and cupboards, too.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1
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I tried I really did .. I just brought another shed .. just cant let go Frank as bad as I am he said Honey we need to do something I said yes he just smiled.
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Gayla

"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little."

---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Very good tip! I mentioned this to hubby about my scrapbooking.I have a few boxes with pictures in them waiting to be in a album,we were mentioning that all the pictures are on a digital cameras anymore,,just print what you want off the computer.Pretty soon,,we wont have those boxes!

I can relate to this article, but something for me is changing. I've been reading the life story of Mother Teresa and it gives me even more incentive to de-clutter. Even things that dh has given to me, I'm putting in a "get rid of" box. My memories are held in my heart and in my head, not in an object.

What is the book called sissy,,sounds like something Id like to read.

Sissy, I'm not overly sentimental with regards to 'things' or 'stuff' but I do have a few precious items that belonged to my Grandmother or DS's baby items, etc.
I have a spare plastic suspension file box with lock-on lid which I'm going to use as a 'momento' box. I'm going to put selective 'special' keepsakes inside this box but only what will comfortably fit inside. It will be kept in a storage cupboard but I can take it out from time to time and rekindle some special memories with them. Even for me, a few very special items are worth keeping. Smile

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~ By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest. --Agesilaus ~

Donna - The book is called Come Be My Light. The book is the private correspondence of MT. There was quite a bit of controversy swirling about this book before its publication, because MT wanted her correspondence destroyed upon her death. I hesitated buying it, but am glad now that I did. She speaks about having to give up and sacrifice so much to work with the poor and how her joy is in serving Jesus. She talks about not having a lot of material possessions because you are not free in owning so many things.

skin - I agree with you. I still have things from my great-grandparents and grandparents that I will never part with. But, a house can only hold so much and I feel keeping things tucked away in drawers and closets year after year serves no usual purpose. There are people who would love to own these things and would take good care of them. If you have ever read the book Tibetan Book of the Dead it describes how the Tibetans believe that once a person dies, it is important to give away their belongings as soon as possible. They believe it helps the deceased person pass over quickly to their new life. Maybe I come across as being cold hearted, but I can tell you, I've been shedding some quiet tears and the emotions have been on overload as I've boxed these things up to give away. As the old cliche goes, "You can't take it with you" and I'm really beginning to understand and appreciate that.