A recent issue of TIME Magazine included an interesting article about our seemingly relentless accumulation of “stuff.” How many homes have a room or attic area dedicated to storage of random purchases never permanently placed? How many garages are full of so many accumulated possessions that we can no longer put a car or cars inside? How many dining room tables are piled so high that we can no longer invite guests into our homes to share a meal?
Then add the external storage facilities. The TIME writer says that 48,500 storage facilities now exist in the U.S. – “outnumbering all the McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger Kings and Starbucks put together.” “One click” on-line ordering has become a way of life for many—making it easy to get more stuff. And if you spend more than $35, shipping is free. What could be better than that? Professional organizers now comprise a booming business helping (for a fee, of course) downsizing baby boomers deal with a lifetime worth of stuff. Junk hauling businesses are flourishing. One person names our condition “hyperacquisition.” One book entitles the condition “Stuffocation.”
Many of us find it very difficult to unload stuff we have collected. Even more importantly, how to we learn to simplify our lives ahead so that we cease acquiring more?
The issue is not as economic or secular as it is spiritual! How do we lead would-be disciples on a journey toward the joy of simplicity?
Does the Shaker Song reflect the great truth of life?
'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.