Last night was our first official night of living in our motorhome. I awoke this morning thinking about what the view is outside, then I remembered that we're parked on the side of our house and the view is the same as its been for the last 14 1/2 years. But that's okay with me. In 2 1/2 months the view will start changing regularly.
I am so excited about our new life on the road, but getting ready for it has been stressful. I have no problem selling our stuff, but its going through all the stuff that is the hardest to do. Every photograph, trinket, collectable, every little thing is a reminder of our lives up until now. When given the time and opportunity to think about it makes it more difficult to let go. But let go we must. This whole experience has been a lesson in letting go, to put into practice the teachings of Buddha that everything is impermanent, that our attachment to things, and oftentimes people, is the cause of suffering; that our desire, which encompasses anything, and any thing, that we think we want or need is simply the impetus to dissatisfaction if we can't have the object of that desire.
Its been nearly two weeks ago that we had our estate/garage sale. One of the things done was to put out the boxes and boxes of Christmas ornaments and decorations for sale. I went through all our ornaments in advance so I could keep the pieces that were especially important to me. I narrowed it all down to a Rubbermaid box about 12"x16"x8". What I failed to do was label the box 'not for sale.' Rob put it out amongst all the other stuff and then sold my 8x8x8 box of ornaments, found within the bigger box, for $1.00. I was momentarily crushed. Then I let it go. I talked about it to several people, which might have meant that I hadn't really gotten over it, but I had. It was easier to do than I thought possible. The saving grace, however, were the two ornaments that remained in the box which my mother had made. Now those were really important and I still have them. Its enough.
Rob had to experience some letting go, too. He loves his Hawaiian shirts. He put them out for sale and lots of them did, the rest he gave to charity. What he failed to recall was that he had removed all his favorites out of the motorhome when we got home in early February, so now he has none except one. Just one Hawaiian shirt. He had to let go, too.
We did really well with the garage sale and made more money than we thought we would. We had stuff sell that we thought wouldn't and the stuff we thought would sell didn't. Overall it was quite successful, but after that weekend I thought once was enough. Next step would be to call in the estate people to make an offer and haul everything away. But, I think I will attempt at least one more garage sale as long as good weather is forecast. I initially wanted all this stuff wrapped up by the end of May, but now I want everything gone by the end of April. I don't want to think about it anymore. I want to look forward, not back, and enjoy each moment as it is happening. Including the moment our newest grandchild is born, when we welcome Oliver into the world. May will be an exciting month!
So will June and July and August and…
I can imagine letting go is tough, and us girls have had to 'let go' as we were there at the garage sale too.. kind of a funny feeling. But ultimately liberating, as if weights have been removed from shackles attached to your ankles.
ReplyDeleteGood stuff, this is really exciting. Smart to wrap by end of April so you can focus on amazing things like a new baby and planning your future.. or just daydreaming of it to come in the near future!
For me it's more about getting rid of "stuff" and not the money. As George Carlin said, "you sh*t becomes other peoples stuff." Although money is okay!
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