If there is an animal I liken humans to - it is the squirrel. We spend all our lives preparing for a day that usually never comes. Hoarding. Fearful of pending doom. Collecting stuff, stuffs.
When I am back in Canada or the US, I’m always amazed at how people don’t use their garages for their cars. No, it is for their leftover “stuff”. I’m shaking my head as I write. Thinking of my own father’s large workshop just stuffed with stuff. You can’t even walk in it, so much there is. He kept everything, “just in case” he’d need it. My father had an excuse - he was a European war baby. Most of us don’t have an excuse yet we still are enchanted, under the spell of our “stuff”.
I’m currently traveling in one set of clothes. Just one set! Yesterday, bought a new set of used clothes at the used market, “pacas” they call them here. Gave my old set of nice clothing to the “lavenderia”, the washing place. Said, “Clean and donate to someone.”
As many readers might know, I’ve been busy selling and getting rid of all my “stuff”. It has been a bit of a mental struggle but finally in that frame of mind that says “be” not have, referencing Paul Tillich’s famous phrase and book - The Courage To Be.
So here is a little rumination, automatic poetry about “stuff”.
Stuffed With Memories
I sold all my furniture the other day.
Man, so much room!
Never noticed that before
because of all the stuff
I had
taking up space.
We live in our own
cargo cultdom
filling up space with
things
we are too vain
to throw away,
our garage is too full
for our cars.
But you can’t take it with you.
You really, truly own shit.
Live light.
Stuff your life with people
and memories
and clear your life
of the stuff that
is between you
and the good life.
Stop fooling yourself
that stuff is what measures.
Stuff doesn’t give you a memory.
Stop fooling yourself
that matter, matters.
Hug someone now.
It doesn’t take up any space.
And you can carry that
with you
forever.
Excellent, David! As you know I am preparing to fill your void down there. So I am getting rid of 50 years worth of "shit". Really good shit! Shit that I might need one day. Meanwhile it just weighs on my shoulders. I have finally decided to have an "estate sale" company come and sell it all. No emotions, just gone! And then they are going to sell the house!
Cuidese, amigo.