spring cleaning
this blog has changed a bit
it’s VERY self-indulgent now [as if it weren’t before…heh]
i’ve been thinking about this search people do for something bigger…better
we all do it, i think
bigger/better car, house, knowledge, clothes, job
what are we hoping these will bring us?
my mother just told me that after the lease that they have now for the van runs out - they will no longer have a car…they’ll just taxi it everywhere
i think about if they ever came and moved in with me
what would they bring with them?
they’d need some clothes, we’d need food…we’d have our shelter, and the family would be together
what happens to all the ‘things’ they have accumulated? they won’t NEED them…will they…yes, a few pots & pans, a cool place for food & a place to cook it [i have those that they can borrow]
toiletries
what else do we need?
it’s kind of funny why we want, want, want all the time
is it just to replace feelings of loneliness or emptiness? perhaps we think we’ll be a better person if we have this or that or do this and that
i don’t know really
i do know that i’ve come to the realization that i don’t need half the things that i have in my place
a lot of it has gone to charity or i’ve sold it in garage sales
i think for the upcoming renovations…i’m going to think very hard about what is truly a necessity…and what is frivolous
where does art come into this?
on my retreat with thich nhat hanh…he made his own art - sayings/quotations in fancy writing that were framed
perhaps interesting paint colours on the walls could be art
i think about the travelling i want to do
that last few trips i’ve been on…i’ve not even picked up a souvenir
sounds like it’s time for spring cleaning … not only in the house…but in my thoughts & perceptions, too
it’s VERY self-indulgent now [as if it weren’t before…heh]
i’ve been thinking about this search people do for something bigger…better
we all do it, i think
bigger/better car, house, knowledge, clothes, job
what are we hoping these will bring us?
my mother just told me that after the lease that they have now for the van runs out - they will no longer have a car…they’ll just taxi it everywhere
i think about if they ever came and moved in with me
what would they bring with them?
they’d need some clothes, we’d need food…we’d have our shelter, and the family would be together
what happens to all the ‘things’ they have accumulated? they won’t NEED them…will they…yes, a few pots & pans, a cool place for food & a place to cook it [i have those that they can borrow]
toiletries
what else do we need?
it’s kind of funny why we want, want, want all the time
is it just to replace feelings of loneliness or emptiness? perhaps we think we’ll be a better person if we have this or that or do this and that
i don’t know really
i do know that i’ve come to the realization that i don’t need half the things that i have in my place
a lot of it has gone to charity or i’ve sold it in garage sales
i think for the upcoming renovations…i’m going to think very hard about what is truly a necessity…and what is frivolous
where does art come into this?
on my retreat with thich nhat hanh…he made his own art - sayings/quotations in fancy writing that were framed
perhaps interesting paint colours on the walls could be art
i think about the travelling i want to do
that last few trips i’ve been on…i’ve not even picked up a souvenir
sounds like it’s time for spring cleaning … not only in the house…but in my thoughts & perceptions, too
posted by me at 5:10 p.m.
2 Comments:
I've been thinking about this concept of "self-indulgence" lately. It's kind of a value-loaded word. To a lot of people (I'm thinking of my parents, who belong to the generation raised during the Great Depression), paying attention to one's inner life, and things such as going to counselling and spiritual retreats, are "self-indulgent".
As to the role our possessions play ... as I've set up housekeeping again and begun acquiring new things, I see how easy it is to keep "needing" more and more. "Well, I bought the vacuum cleaner, now I need a microwave oven, and then I need ..." Seems like we need a lot of things nowadays :). Not sure I have an answer for this, but at least I'm observing it and having the intention of doing it somewhat consciously.
yes, i'm observing, too
not sure how i can curb my interest in the newest and greatest...working on it, though :)
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