Comment from Cindy: On Sunday I read a brief post on the benefits of minimalism. It wasn’t really a “how to” article, but rather a post about how great you feel when you become a minimalist. Although this isn’t the first time I’ve been presented with the concept, I’m not an expert–I’d define my competency level as “aware” at this point–far from accomplished. I don’t really know enough to be in favor of or against this approach to life, but the concept–at least with some things in my life–intrigues me. The post must have inspired me to accomplish a task I’ve been putting off for a LONG TIME, though.
Kent and I LOVE LOVE LOVE books. Books of all kinds–from educational to pure candy, and everything in between. There are books in our home that get read once and books we refer to frequently. Hardbacks, paperbacks, ebooks, and audio books. We purchase books, receive books as gifts, and borrow library books. However, there are some books in our home that are in need of a new home. The first priority for relocation is my treasure trove of candy (aka romance books). Reading romance books is one of the ways I escape from the unpleasant realities of the world. Because I’m so busy, I receive several new releases each month via a subscription service so I don’t have to research what new tomes might pique my interest. Some are better than others, and all are pure candy. But it is now time to share these books that I’ve read with a new escape artist.
Reading the minimalist article spurred me into action. My efforts also became the focus of my automatic writing session. Here’s an excerpt.
Spirit: Isn’t it amazing how much better you feel when you start cleaning out and boxing up and looking for a new home for things that you no longer need but might bring great joy to someone else?
Energetically speaking, letting go of things you don’t need also allows you to open up for things that you DO need. It’s not as if you only have so much energetic space, but the cleaner it is, with things neat and tidy vs. chaotic, the clearer your life will be. Instead of being distracted by things that really aren’t of interest or only provide a distraction such as a television show, cleaning your energy allows you to be able to focus more—in a more concentrated way—on what you truly desire. Just as reciting meditations helps you to focus on bringing something into your life, it just works so much better if things are neat and tidy. If your energy is distracted by dusty shelves, unkempt counters, or just too much stuff, a part of your brain will fixate on that and try to fix it. Whereas, if the shelves are neatly stacked with books you enjoy that are all dusted and ready for you to read again at your leisure, and the carpets are vacuumed , and all the chores are done, then you can move on to focus on things that bring you joy—whether that is reading a book, or writing in a journal, or playing a board game with your family. Whatever brings enjoyment into your home and into your life.
In today’s world, people have found so many distractions to keep them from truly interacting and having deep, meaningful person-to-person relationships. Whether it is phones, internet, or television, people find excuses not to have in-person human connection. The reason is well understood, if you think about it. Human interaction can be uncertain. It can be very gratifying, but it can also be hurtful. Whereas your devices numb your brain into a sense of sameness and solitude that is comfortable, albeit not really joyous. But people can use those tools to hide away from their true feelings and to avoid feeling too much, thus allowing themselves to live a pseudo existence, because without the risk that is involved in true person-to-person interaction, you take away one of the elements of life on this earth. You only live a partial existence at that point. And then people feel like something is lacking. Because, of course, something IS lacking. Human connections, thought exchange, touch, and acknowledgement by others, are all important aspects of the human experience. You will be happiest if you build communities. Don’t hide out, but rather connect. Find people with common goals and also people who have different likes than you and see if you have things in common.