By Vince
I was reading an article the other day and it made me think about the amount of time we devote to the various processes we experience in life. First we are born with essentially nothing. Then we spend a great deal of time trying to get something (i.e. an education, a job, a house, money, relationships, other stuff, etc.). Next, we spend time trying to keep the stuff we get. Time is spent maintaining it, using it, storing it, nurturing it, growing it. Finally, one day, it’s all gone and we end up with nothing once again.
Where and how we choose to devote our time in this process are the factors that make up our life and what makes each of us unique. Those who seem most content seem to have a good grasp and control of each step of the process. While those that seem less content, may hit a roadblock or devote an inordinate amount of time to a particular part of the process. For example, an individual may spend years getting educated in a field that offers little chance of gainful employment. Or one may work very hard building a family then lets relationships slip away because of the unbalanced amount of time being devoted to work. Others spend much time trying to get something and then do nothing meaningful with it once they have it in hand. Some choose not to accumulate much, but instead make the best use of what they have and enjoy the simple pleasures life offers. Speaking of simple pleasures, the following link provides some links to good articles that discuss living simply. https://www.becomingminimalist.com/inspiring-simplicity-0719/
It’s interesting to think about any aspect of your life in these terms and examine what’s in balance and what is out of balance. Complexity is added to the process because everything is in motion and constantly changing so all these things require constant vigilance and rebalancing. What worked well or was acceptable 10 years ago many now no longer be.
We all start with nothing and end with nothing but the decisions we make and the choices of how we use our time is what makes the difference.
Elle says
So very true. I think the hardest step in the journey is when we turn our back on consumerism and those around us say “why are you driving that old car when you can afford a new one”, “why don’t you build a nice new house like we are, you can afford it”. And they don’t understand “I don’t want one”. The conversation becomes so tiresome until they finally give up. Coming out on the retirement end with “enough” is a fantastic feeling!
Vince says
Exactly! Thank you for your comments Elle
Cheryl says
So true! When we moved and downsized almost five years ago I HAD to let go of some things I considered to be sentimental even though they’d been in a box in our basement, untouched, for years. Our solution was to take a picture of it and then let it go. Oh my goodness, this was so freeing!!!! I have to say just five years later I don’t miss those things and can’t even tell you what they were. Haven’t even looked at the pictures I took! We come into this world with nothing and take none of it with us when we leave. I’m planning on there being much better stuff where I’m going, anyway! 🙂
Vince says
A new post today that really hits the mark! Follow this link https://www.theminimalists.com/surfing/
Carol C says
great thought, Vince. I have been purging as I come across long forgotten items I thought I HAD to keep. As you might guess, I have not even given those purged items a second thought. I don’t want my kids to have to go through years of useless accumulation as I did my parent’s house. And BTW, need an update on the mushroom growing. Wondering about that.
Tricia says
I love this post. I also think that different life stages have a big impact on what processes we focus on. As my kids are all now grown and gone from home, I can focus on downsizing and personal growth processes instead of building a home and creating a family. The idea of focusing on the process at-hand, instead of always looking back fondly or longing for a different future, is important for happiness (and sanity!). Thanks for your thoughts on this subject.
dezertsuz says
Who we are is more important than what we have. Not how important we are, but our core values and how we live the life we’re given. Good reminder that this doesn’t require stuff. =)