I like to think my kids and I lead a fairly simple life … materialistically speaking. We don’t have cable, no cell phone plan (only a land line), no video games, flat screen TVs. I do have a laptop with Internet, and I wonder how much I really need that and sometimes guiltily if i can even afford the extra cost a month. The house we live in is small, so small that I ditched the couch and chair in the living room so Aidan could have room to try and use his walker. Yet in all this “simpleness” I have accumulated a ridiculous amount of clutter.

As a child, we never really had money, and as an adult I am equally without money. Yet my life seems to be held inside all this “stuff.”  Have I just put so much sentimental meaning behind all this “stuff” that I cant let go of it.  Why do I keep adding to this meaningless pile of “stuff.”  What am I teaching my children?

We put such an emphasis on materialism.  I love fashion magazines and often times dream about having that 600 dollar purse.  Why?  So someone can compliment my PURSE.  What kind of legacy do we want to leave to our children.  Do we want to be the Donald Trumps of the world or the mother Theresas?

We need to switch our focus.  We need to set good examples for our children.  I think about Christmas time and how stressed out I see people.  Our kids see that.  If our kids see us stressed out about not being able to buy “stuff” for them, what kind of message is that sending to them?  We don’t want our kids to think they are a burden to us.  We sacrifice so much of our time to work long hours just so we can have this “stuff” everyone is talking about.

We need to spend time with our kids.  That’s the “stuff” we need.  We need to turn off the TV, tune out those commercials that tell us about all the stuff we need to be happy, and we need to tune into our kids.  We need to set good examples for our children.

We want to raise kind children?  We need to look at ourselves.  Are we being good role models?  Stop the negativity even in the most trying times.  How about clearing the clutter out of your life, together?  Get rid of 50 things, take them to the local shelter or goodwill.  Stop buying unnecessary stuff. Start giving necessary time.  Surround yourself with kind and giving people.  If you want to be good at something you have to practice.  Practice your kindness. I promise it won’t be wasted.  Do you want to be known for the nice car you drive or the kindness in your heart?

OK, now that I have that off my chest – ha!  I have been struggling with what to write for my blog lately.  This wasn’t a lecture to “you.”  This was a lecture to myself.  I want to change.  I don’t want to want that 600 dollar purse anymore.  I want to de-clutter.  This all came from me reading one book.  The book is No Impact Man: The Adventures of a Guilty Liberal Who Attempts to Save the Planet, and the Discoveries He Makes About Himself and Our Way of Life in the Process.   It’s about a man and his family’s year long journey to making as little impact on the environment as possible.  I can’t rehash the entire book for you, all I can do is suggest you open it, browse it, or even google it.  Its about changing our focus.  Separating our wants from our needs.  Respecting our environment, respecting each other.  I ask that you forgive me for my ramblings tonight.  I’m ready to make a change.  I’m ready to get rid of “stuff,” and go for a walk.