Simply Satisfied

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” ~Hans Hofmann 

I am a gatherer, a collector of sorts.

I hold onto things…not because I need them, but because they hold memories.

I sometimes find it difficult to let go. It’s almost as if I feel I am committing an act of betrayal if I pass on something given to me.

Soon my life becomes complicated, cluttered. I feel like the walls are closing in on me. I can’t find clarity. Then I know it’s time once again to simplify, not that this means I will rid my home of all unnecessary items. Face it; we all have things that are not crucial. However, they make our lives easier or more enjoyable.

When I say I want to get back to the basics of what is important, it’s up to me to decide what goes and what I keep. What’s important to me might not be important to someone else. For instance, I really enjoy my French press, and my coffee maker has been sitting in the closet for several years. Maybe it’s time to donate it. My problem is that once I chuck something I find a need for it. Does that ever happen to you? Have you ever found yourself buying something you just gave away?

Slowly, I’ve been cleaning closets. I’ve trashed worn linens and purchased new ones. I’ve thrown out old makeup. I’ve reorganized shelves. I have a long way to go as I’ve only just begun. I’m sure by the time I think I’m finished; it will be time to start the process over. Still, it’s becoming clearer why I keep the things I do. Maybe this is more of a soul cleansing than a house cleaning, after all. I have learned that letting go isn’t the end of the world.

I don’t live lavishly, but I do have more than enough. I also doubt I’ll ever be completely clutter-free, yet I am content.

****Living in the Gap

February 12, 2012 – I am NOT a dog, REALLY I’m not!

My friend, Karal, and I are on our way to our local Grape and Gourmet for a wine tasting event, and we are stopped at a traffic light. She’s driving, and I’m yapping away in the passenger seat. Her two beagles are enjoyed the ride from the back. As we are sitting there, the sunlight catches the green stone in her dangly earring. I reach over and touch her earring and ask her what the lovely stone is called…however before I get the question out, she starts rubbing my hand/jacket sleeve (I should mention here that I have on a plush jacket that probably feels like dog fur.) and says, “oh, I love you too, baby.” I jerk my hand away, and we both start laughing at the same time because we both know she thought I was one of her dogs nuzzling up to her from the back seat! Needless, to say after a few wine samples it becomes even funnier! In case you’re wondering, she didn’t know the stone in her earring either. It’s not emerald, darker than peridot, but not consistent with jade…any guesses?