Liberation
I don’t know about you, but I feel responsible for everything I own….
house (and everything in it), truck 1, truck 2, this computer, countless pairs of flip-flops…
For many years now, I have been shedding belongings, and beliefs.
One of my first pieces of writing was about a cast iron skillet. For over two decades, we hauled it, and made cabinet space with each move, but the iron never felt the lick of a flame until I decided to Reject, Accept or Embrace the heavy handled fry pan.
Letting go is so hard for so many!
Especially at a time when the whole world seems to be advertising more, more, MORE.
In Meditations from the Mat by Rolf Gates, the author offers three quotes relating to the idea of less equaling liberation and lightness:
Vairagya is the elimination of whatever hinders progress and refinement. ~B.K.S. Iyengar
A man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone. ~Henry David Thoreau
In the pursuit of knowledge, every day something is added. In the practice of the Tao, every day something is dropped. ~Tao Te Ching
Do you consider what truly brings you value?
What can you afford to leave alone?
A silver, steel kennel collected spider webs and dust in our basement throughout my years of heavy purging. Last Wednesday, I hauled the metal mesh up from the basement and gave it a thorough wash with the garden hose.
The companionship of a dog will always add value to my life.
Happy to share the news of our newest family member. We’ll be picking up Henrietta Belle, an almost seven week old black lab pup, on Sunday morning.
Responsibility? You bet!
But experience has taught me four legs make my heart lighter.