Stuff

I'll admit it, I may be organized in some ways, but when it comes to stashing away old junk and corraling the endless stuff that accumulates on desktops and bedside tables and in kids' rooms I fall short. WAY short. I'm working on getting better at keeping things organized in the house, but as one who keeps track of things by laying them about so she can see them, I've got a long way to go.

We made major progress this past weekend by way of a yard sale. As hard as it is sometimes to let things go, it's always a great feeling when they're gone. It's like my neighbor who swears up and down that "going to the dump" (or getting rid of the junk) is akin to kneeling at the altar. He brings his burdens, lays them down and leaves them there. I like it.

One by one as our possesions were loaded up and then at the end of the day when the rest of it went to Good Will I truly felt better. I realized I hang onto things from the past as though the future hinges on their presence. I now know that's a completely misguided notion and one that's based on fear rather than reality, low esteem rather than self-assurance.

The kids will continue to outgrow their clothes and need new ones, the couch I have currently will one day be hideous like the last one, and dysfunctional relationships can and will be replaced with ones that work, lift up and encourage.