I read a magazine article today about how to prevent a “money disaster” – i.e., how to keep track of valuables and their worth for the purposes of filing a claim with an insurance company, should a real disaster (flood, tornado, fire, etc.) actually occur. I believe that appropriate planning is wise and prudent, so I reviewed the list of valuables and the accompanying documentation suggested by the author.
As I read down each column (cameras/photography equipment, china/crystal, collectibles [coins/stamps/rare books], electronics, fine art, furniture, furs, musical instruments, sports memorabilia, jewelry), I grew more and more relieved. I own very few items considered to be ‘valuables’; of the items I do own, I wouldn’t be emotionally destroyed (or logistically put-out) if they were suddenly removed from my life. Yes, my husband and I own a nice TV and some good computer devices – but I’d be just as happy in life with no TV, and if I had to get a new computer I would just consider it the universe’s way of letting me know I was due for an upgrade. :) Our home has furniture in it – but nothing ridiculously expensive or precious. Everything we have (bed, dressers, chairs, sofa) can be pretty easily replaced; and we could always sleep on an air mattress and sit on floor cushions in the interim. (I’ve certainly done it before…) Regarding musical instruments, my husband and I have various and assorted instruments throughout the house (a few guitars, a mandolin, an upright bass, maybe even a bass guitar) – but we haven’t played them in years (literally), so clearly they are not too ‘important’ to us. As far as jewelry, I own one nice piece (my wedding ring) – and I like it a lot; but I love my husband, not it. If the ring were stolen, I’d be a little sad; but the loss of the ring doesn’t mean the loss of what the ring represents.
As I reached the end of the page, I learned that I don’t own a lot of treasures. No real surprise there. More importantly, I learned (or perhaps, affirmed) that I don’t need a lot of treasures in order to have a ‘valuable’ life. In fact, I really don’t want a lot of treasures. I want meaning, not things.
And it looks like that’s exactly what I do have. And that truly makes me happy.
Stef
isn’t it wonderful to realize your life is filled with the “stuff” that matters to you?
It really is, Joss. It really, really is.
Same here, Stef ~ my life has value without being filled with Stuff of value. :D
Nancy, I love it! Your slogan would make a wonderful t-shirt. :) [Especially when a less-endowed lady wears it; wonderful double-entendre.] ;)
Oh, if only I could do number 5. :)
Great post Stef.
#2 is the one I struggle with the most. We all have our issue to overcome. :) At least we are self-aware, and are working to be better. That’s more than a lot of people!
True treasures can never be bought. I loved your line, “…I don’t need a lot of treasures in order to have a ‘valuable’ life.” It is amazing how full a life can be when it is empty of “stuff”. Thank you for, yet again, a wonderful post.
I agree with you – it *is* quite amazing how a life void of a lot of material ‘stuff’ can be so full of truly meaningful things. I like to remind myself of this analogy (often in times when I’m feeling like I’m in a place of lack versus abundance): If a cup is full of water, it simply doesn’t have room to receive anything more or new. I think the same holds very true for life.
wow! great post! love it. I love my life for what it is and not what is ‘in’ it and that included all these stuffs that people place so much ‘value’ on :)
I think it is truly wonderful when people can love what they have, instead of want what they don’t have. To love one’s life for what it *is* (instead of the stuff it contains) is even better! :)