Pack Rat, Hoarder, Sanford and Son, these are labels for someone having TOO MUCH STUFF!
I have too much stuff. So, to varying degrees these labels apply to me.
When I was a kid I was always finding and dragging stuff home found in alleyways and behind old buildings. I loved junk yards and a trip to the dump was always exciting. My dad knew a guy who retired from driving a bulldozer at a landfill in Southern California during the 50’s and 60’s. In those days a guy could stop his dozer and get out and pick up what he wanted. I remember going over to his large Victorian era home, in Whittier CA in the early 1970s, and being amazed at his huge library of books, his large and impressive gun collection, a his well equipped dark room (for the youngsters out there – a dark rook was used to develop photographs back in the day). He had all sorts of cool and interesting items, all things he had collected over the years running a bulldozer at the dump.
I got the bug for collecting and scrounging cool stuff at a young age. That was not a lawn mower with the motor removed, that was a potential go-cart! That was not a random roll of chicken wire, that was a see through barrier to be installed over a fish pond I had dug in the back yard (Mom was not happy about that one), fish might need protection from cats and such, or so my 7 year old brain surmised. That was not a frame for raising a stricken person into a helicopter (“found” in the alleyway of an old hospital), that was a potential go-cart! I was a bit obsessed with making go carts.
Nowadays I still like stuff, BUT, I realize that you have to let things go as well. Especially if you find some new stuff that is better than your old stuff. You have to make room for it! Get rid of old stuff! Too much stuff is a burden, it bogs us down. Recently, I borrowed by buddy’s little cargo trailer to clear things out, do a dump run or two; yes, I still get a little thrill going to the dump and seeing all that stuff people are throwing away. I’ve spent these past three days improving my living space, fixing things, organizing stuff, and beautifying. I’m not solving the worlds problems, but I sure am solving some of mine. By making my home more comfortable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing I’m preparing myself to make a better contribution when not at home. Feels good man!
I’m not advocating minimalism, just making things better! Start at home. Get good at maintaining and beautifying your personal space and home. If you can manage that, then you have probably developed some good habits, discernment, and practical knowledge useful for making the world beyond your room/home a better place too. If you are like me and you have some house cleaning to do, roll up your sleeves and get to it! Feels good.
Ben Wagner (249)
Member The365Commitment
