My newest mini-hobby is prowling around at estates sales. I decided that I want some new artwork around and felt that these sales would be a viable place to obtain something I like, already framed, at a reasonable price. Little did I know that this would lead to a new epiphany and insight into myself and into our culture.
There seem to be several types of estate sales. Some are all the belongings of a dear departed family member, such as a mother or father. Depending on the part of town the home is in, you can expect different types of items. The other is the downsizing estate sale. In a way, all sales, garage, tag or estate are downsizing. Surely, all the "stuff" at some of these homes did not belong to the same individual. It seems that every sale that I have visited, or reviewed on the internet is full of useless, shelves and shelves of glass wares, pottery, knick knacks, also called tochques.
It has been 6 months since I started this post. In the mean time, I have visited more estate sales and further consolidated my thinking, or maybe have just gotten confused! I look around my house and although I may not have as much "stuff", I do have some. Well, out in the open, but in the closets and storage spaces, I am hiding lots and lots of stuff. Things that were too good to pass up! Things that I will use later, when I have time to be creative. Things for my new hobby (four or five new hobbies back!).
I was filling an empty place with things, dreams, plans, and "stuff". I have done the same thing with different "stuffs" even in the last year. Now I am thinking I would be happier if I reverse the process and gradually place various things with people who need them much more than I do. The empty place is not empty any longer because I have learned to fill it with relationships and time with family and friends. Make that "I am learning to".
Life is a process and we all learn many things, some of the lessons multiple times in multiple ways. I find that fact to be encouraging. If I don't get the lesson of life, it will come around again and again until I learn.
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