If my family and I were forced to relocate to another country, I would have everything that is important to me already. I know, it sounds like a cliche', but I am hard pressed to name one, much less three material objects that I would take with me. My husband, my sons and their father, my sister and her son are the most important aspects of my life. If I could take my [definition of] immediate family, I would have everything that I want and need to start a new life in a foreign country. Without these people in my life, I would be hard pressed to find meaning, purpose and motivation. I would lead the life of a religious ascetic, renouncing all but my religious practices.
Difficult times can teach us a great deal about what is important to us. Precious stones, metals and luxuries hold no lure for me in ordinary life. I have few momentos other than photographs, which I assume, would be destroyed in a disaster. I love books, but would not saddle myself with them if I was forced to relocate. Material things are not important to me. While I think that there are some who value possessions or money over human life, I think that the vast majority of people hold similar feelings to my own. I do wonder, however, how many other people could not come up any material items that they would like to bring to another country.
The insight that I have gained from this exercise is that I have no attachment to material objects. I believe that things are not important. I asked this question of a few of my family members. My husband, an artist, said that he would take his sketchbook. One of my sons would take his Ipod, the other would take his phone and I believe that my sister, a reiki master and medium, would take her pendulum.
After several days of pondering this question, I could not come up with a single thing that I would be willing to take along with me if I were forced to relocate to another country. As one of my favorite gurus says, "Why be attached?"
Difficult times can teach us a great deal about what is important to us. Precious stones, metals and luxuries hold no lure for me in ordinary life. I have few momentos other than photographs, which I assume, would be destroyed in a disaster. I love books, but would not saddle myself with them if I was forced to relocate. Material things are not important to me. While I think that there are some who value possessions or money over human life, I think that the vast majority of people hold similar feelings to my own. I do wonder, however, how many other people could not come up any material items that they would like to bring to another country.
The insight that I have gained from this exercise is that I have no attachment to material objects. I believe that things are not important. I asked this question of a few of my family members. My husband, an artist, said that he would take his sketchbook. One of my sons would take his Ipod, the other would take his phone and I believe that my sister, a reiki master and medium, would take her pendulum.
After several days of pondering this question, I could not come up with a single thing that I would be willing to take along with me if I were forced to relocate to another country. As one of my favorite gurus says, "Why be attached?"
Careyann,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I am also not attached by "things", I chose to take pictures because that has the most value to me. I started at this assignment for a long time trying to think what would I take, but in reality it wouldn't matter. The only thing that would matter is my family and the people I love.
Thanks for your post!
Abby
Careyann,
ReplyDeleteI can agree with you that having attachments to material things can be most unproductive at times. However, I do not think that having possessions come to mind in such a situation as this activity mandates that an attacahment to those things is prevalent. Albeit that relocating can be much easier without having material things to carry, yet it is alright to have a photograph with you until it becomes destroyed by wear and tear. It is alright to bring a favorite book that holds certain meaning to you even if you have to give it up at some point in time. If we do not create attachments of some sort in our lives, then we miss out on some of the wonderful feelings of joy, love and appreciation that can be obtained through our ability to open ourselves up to the opportunity.
I enjoyed reading your very interesting post. I look forward to more :)
CCWhite