One significant aspect of simple living is having less stuff. At the beginning of the summer I reflected on how quickly stuff accumulates in our home. I concede my role in this accumulation. I'm not a frivolous shopper, but I do have my weaknesses. However, I've been making an active effort to pare down and simplify what we have. We have given away a good portion of stuff but I don't feel like it's made much difference. The empty spaces are quickly being replaced by other items... like wine making equipment and mason jars. I guess paring down is a constant process, like doing laundry, no matter how much you want to be done you never are.
Even though the stuff output = intake right now, I am finding that my view of stuff is shifting. I find myself being a better steward of what I have while being less attached to all the stuff. After all, this stuff won't be with me after I die.
"Naked I came forth from my mother's womb, and naked shall I go back again. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!" Job 1:21
Audery Assead - Everything Is Yours
So true. Who would have thought that living simply would be a daily challenge? But you really do have to be in a constant state of awareness to have any chance of resisting society's consumerist focus. Its harder than I thought it would be.
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