Simply Greedy

The other day I was thinking how I'd love to replace my carpet but as you know, flooring is not cheap. After fantasizing about warm honey bamboo I snapped out of it, got real and bought a new steam cleaner vacumn.  It got me to thinking about how much Americans accumulate - there is no end! It is often that as I brush by my livingroom en route to the kitchen, I cannot help but notice all the piles of stuff in neat little corners as if those piles actually belonged there. Tools, books, chapstick and barbie clothes galore. This weekend I had to admit - we have too much!  I cannot tell you the amount of time I've spent in devising ways to organize, not to mention all the organizational containers I've purchased. Retail America depends on our greed to stay in business...

I thought of how God longs to simplify our lives and help us to switch from the accumulating to the satisfied gear. Imagine though how many businesses would go under if we applied this principle! Bye-bye, Container Store. So, my next big realization was how easy it would be to end my organizing  by simply - simplifying. That means throwing out even more stuff than I already have thrown out or given away to charity.  Too much work I say, but then I keep thinking of what former foreign correspondent for the NY Times and author, Chris Hedges once said, "Jesus taught us there are two ways to be rich; we can amass wealth or have few needs. Defy the consumer culture. Live simply. When Jesus died, all he owned was a robe."

By the way, when was the last time you counted your shoes?

S.N. Belmonte  2008