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I don't have a collector mentality, things don't
make me happy. Well, let me clarify that statement.
Sure, I like having things. It's fun to buy new
things, surround myself with beautiful decor, and
wear clothing that makes me feel good. However,
having closets full of clothing and a house packed
with trinkets doesn't make me necessarily happy.
For several years now I have used a simple rule
that has helped me from accumulating junk and useless
materials: One item in, one item out. I can't simply
buy a new pair of shoes on a whim unless I'm willing
to part ways with a favorite pair I already own.
This system really works well for me. Also, when
we cling to things the Universe often views us as
content with the status quo. New things have a difficult
time finding their way into our lives when there
is so much clutter blocking the pathways. I have
a true story to share about my son when he was in
college that demonstrates this idea very well.
While visiting my then college-aged son he told
me that he really needed a new pair of blue jeans.
He only had two pairs of jeans to his name. One
was a decent enough pair, but the second pair had
many tears it them and he felt embarrassed whenever
he wore them. I then asked him why he continued
to wear them if they truly embarrassed him. He gave
me a non-verbal response--a shrug to his shoulders.
I then explained to him that whenever he wore those
torn jeans that he was signaling to the Universe
that he was "okay" with wearing them--relaying
the message that he didn't really need another pair.
I suggested he get rid of them and that the Universe
would somehow supply him with another pair that
suited his needs better. He then "winked"
at me.
About a week later he phoned me to tell me that
he had tossed out that raggedy pair of blue jeans.
Then, he went on to tell me that a couple of days
afterwards when he was returning to his apartment
after attending one of his classes that he found
a pair of jeans laying in the front yard. This pair
of jeans were almost new, freshly laundered, and
also a perfect fit!
As it turned out, he lived two blocks from a laundromat
and other students often walked past his apartment
toting their laundry bags. Obviously, someone accidently
dropped a pair of jeans from their pile of clean
clothing on their walk back from the laundromat.
Although, I don't think it was really an accident.
The Universe must have felt that my son had a greater
need for those jeans than whoever lost them.
My son then went on to tell me that when I had
suggested that he toss out his old jeans that he
had assumed that I would buy him a new pair to replace
them. Well, we both had a good laugh about that.
Anyway, he learned a very important lesson about
Universal Law that day. He lives a simple life with
simple needs-- his closets are much more sparse
than mine, and he's okay with that. All his needs
are met.
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