what's an apt illustration for accumulate? Clutter piled high? Stacks of cartons and crates ready to go from one dwelling place to the next one? Books in every inch of a bookcase? A series of diplomas and certificates from kindergarten to post-doc?
And Jesus said to them, "Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions." Luke 12:15
This comes after he warns about coveting "stuff" or possessions; a grass is greener, keeping up with what you think other people own or have. Covetousness and greed are far different from desiring basic comfort.
life doesn't consist in the abundance of things. Stuff. Possessions. Or maybe that's belongings?
Psychologist Erik Erikson said to lose the sum of one's possessions is to lose evidence of who one is. Identity crisis! Ever had one? Of course we need physical objects. Many people delight in their collections. But the recent spate of decluttering and organizing articles and books reminds us how collections and collecting can accumulate to such an extent they impede life rather than enhance it.
We hear about the wisdom of accumulating memories rather than stacking up material objects we may not have space for and may not need on any level. That wise advice to grandparents also applies to parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and unrelated family friends. To everyone.
Give your grands, your own kids, your nieces and nephews, coworkers' kids, your Little Brothers—Little Sisters experiences rather than things. It's a perfect time for a shout-out to the Big Brothers–Big Sisters program because being a Big Sister or Big Brother will create incomparable experiences and endless memories for everyone.
A trip to the park or a nearby beach. An afternoon downtown with lunch and a museum. Bake cookies or bread together. Plant a garden and harvest the veggies, pick the flowers. Make dinner and serve it proudly. Take pictures of everything, of course. Accumulate experiences. Accumulate memories of your experiences.
Liked, "collections and collecting can accumulate to such an extent they impede life rather than enhance it" and what you wrote about giving experiences rather than things. I have a granddaughter who does that.
ReplyDeleteThe BBBS idea looks great!
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