Why do I need all this junk?

I was giving a graduation exam today and started thinking.  I know, dangerous.  But what else am I going to do since I can't write, draw or read anything while I administer that exam?  So, I was thinking about all the stuff we accumulate over time and I began to question why we do that.  Looking at those high school seniors take that exam and thinking about their futures, I began to reflect on my past.  In college, we lived in a dorm.  Dorms are tiny.  We didn't take every last thing from home and stuff it in that little dorm room.  We had clothes, shoes, maybe a computer, books, school supplies, Ramen noodles, and a microfridge.  And that was enough.  I didn't long for the stuff I had left back home, not that it was much. 

Then, I got married.  We moved into a small apartment because that's all we could afford at the time, since we were both still in college.  I think that's when the accumulation of junk began.  I was given bridal showers where I collected dishes, pots and pans, home decor, etc.  Then, the family started and we added children, which added more stuff!

I've been fortunate to travel to a few other countries - Mexico, Costa Rica, Spain and France.  One thing I've noticed in all of them is that the people are not as attached to things as we are in the U.S.  The houses are smaller, if they are lucky enough to have a house.  Most live in small apartments or shacks made of any material they can find to provide shelter from the elements.  They don't fill their walls with decorator items or even hundreds of family photos.  One reason is they simply can't afford it.  Their money must be used for food and necessities.  Does that mean family isn't important because they don't have dozens of scrapbooks filled with cropped photos and hundreds of dollars of specialty papers and stickers?  No.  I have witnessed more families sitting outside together, playing together, eating together, working together.  I believe their idea of family is much stronger than ours because they don't have all the stuff.  No televisions, or maybe just one in the house instead of every room.  No gaming systems.  No chest full of toys.  Bare minimum.

I started in January to "clear the clutter" in my house and in my life but quickly dropped off the bandwagon because life activities got in the way.  I long to live simply, without so many physical possessions.  After my thinking episode today, I think I'm ready to jump back on.  I've got too much stuff and someone else might just need the junk I don't have time for.   It's time to clear it out and focus more on people than the things.  Plus, it should make my house easier to clean!

Be blessed!