It’s liberating. It’s empowering. What I’m I talking about? I’m talking about not having so much stuff. It took for me to move out of the country in 2015 and come back seven months later. I had a beautifully furnished apartment…and then I was selling everything, except for my clothes and my books. I took boxes and boxes of books, and my over 100 pairs of shoes with me to the Dominican Republic. I sold a sofa that I had purchased for over $900.00 dollars for $400.00. I got rid of a tempurpedic mattress that had cost $3,000.00 dollars. I got rid of a lot of stuff: nice and expensive kitchen ware, book shelf, desk, desk chair, printer, stuff, stuff, and more stuff.
Many of my friends and colleagues were shocked to find out I was making such big change. After all, I had a very stable job and a very nice apartment (with no roommates). But I felt that I needed a change and God knows I am glad I did it. If it would not have been for that decision, my baby might not have been here today, for it was during the time spent in DR that I got to know my husband better (at the time he was my boyfriend). I also got to know my native land better. I got to spend time with local Dominicans on a day-to-day basis (not just as a tourist). It was during that time that my life was not just about work work work, but I was more in tune with nature. Heck, it was during that time that I was eating fresh fish directly from the sea, brought by the fishermen and on to the kitchen. It was during that time that I got to see and experience first hand the tremendous work ethics that many Dominicans have. I got to love them a little more during that time.
Fast forward seven months later, I came back to New Jersey & New York City (I live in Jersey, work in the city). This time, I only brought two bags with me. All of my over 100 pairs of shoes, plus most of my books were left back in DR. I realized that having stuff could be more a burden than a blessing, at least when you are traveling and moving around. This realization is quite liberating for me spiritually, as well as for my pocket (or for my hard earned money).
So what is simplifying? To me it is buying things that I really need or that will serve a valid purpose. It is getting rid of things that will not add value or serve a purpose to me. It is being more spiritually in tune and less connected to the superficial world. If I would have been the type of person who gets attached to “things.” I would not have made that trip to DR, and I would have missed on a heck of a great lifetime experience and blessing.
By the way…I came back to work with the same company I had worked for when I left. You see, when you do the right thing and when you have good work ethics, people will give you the opportunity. So don’t be afraid, just do the right thing.
God bless you,
Querin
