Unfortunately, the DUMP gains the most from the majority of deaths.
As do organizations like Goodwill.
6 out of ten families don't know what to do with the body, bank account, furnishings, food, vehicle, let alone all the junk in the house.
Did you know the average American household has 39 pair of shoes (I'd guess that's actually a low number.)
139 kid's toys
438 books and magazines
300,000 items
and the average American spends 55 minutes a day looking for something specific (loose your keys lately? I have!!).
We also throw out 88 pounds of textiles per year.
Aren't we great consumers?
We are getting more depressed (I know, this blog isn't helping matters.) We lose focus and process information at a slower rate with too much stuff.
How can we find peace?
What can make the difference between the darkness of clutter and freedom to be fulfilled?
Here's a suggestion -
Write a list of things you can see right from where you are sitting, perhaps 35 items.
Take a look at each thing and ask yourself "Why do I have this?"
Is it because you got it as a gift and feel obligated to keep it?
Do you use it every day?
Occasionally?
Do you adore it and the memories it provides?
You have it because you've always had it and don't know where it came from?
You don't have anything else to replace it with, that you like even batter.
Do you NEED it?
Is it in good repair, intact, and useable?
Out of those 35 things, how many are you willing to give up?
Maybe there's someone else that could use it.
If you have the right recipient, would you give it up?
I thought so!
My most recent exchange happened this week.
The Giver has finally decided to tackle her storage units, located an hour south of where she lives.
The Recipient is moving out - Anku is 20, came here with a family she's not related to, as they all escaped asylum a few years ago. She got a full-time job at a restaurant. One of the employees took a liking to her. They are now in a relationship. It's not going well. He's been asking for money, insisted she co-sign a loan for a new car, and disappears for days at a time. Her host parents have told her she has to move out and he's not welcome at their house anymore.
We got Anku three boxes of kitchenware, linens, a number of small lamps, side table, and a cabinet for the bathroom. She's struggling to figure things out but happy for the support.
Want to make that kind of difference?
Of course!
Contact me now: paulafhill60@gmail.com