freedom freedom freedom. Our country and president are obsessed with talking about freedom, but it seems to me that what we actually desire is simply short-lived pleasures. Look at the average debt of Americans and you will find that people value stuff more than anything else – even more than time with each other. Before paychecks are deposited they are already spent. Acquiring the “American dream” requires excessive spending that usually cannot be attained without being imprisoned by the very purchases that required such hard work.
Somehow we’ve all been duped into believing that things matter more than people. Why do parents stand in absurdly long lines just to buy toys that will become obsolete before they even get placed in the trunk? In Sub-Saharan Africa the average annual income is $300 – that’s less than an Xbox 360.
Most people who come into my apartment see a clean and coordinated little space, but as my move-out date encroaches (Saturday), I look around and only see the junk I need to toss or sell.
I’ve decided to get rid of every piece of furniture - including my bed – the only exception is a hopechest given to me by my Dad. I’ve taken bags of clothing and household items to a Catholic charity that freely distributes them to poor families in the community. I figure if everything I own can’t fit in my car, then I don’t need to own it anymore. This is probably the last time in my life when I can do this and not feel the slightest bit of sentimentality for the loss of my property.
And to be honest – I feel surprisingly free.
RegularGoy: In the words of the guy who founded Cynicism:
“I have no wife. I have no house. I have no possessions. Am I not free?”4 years ago
sherylshearer: moving is cleansing. ryc: haha! fish are so fickle.4 years ago
Eccentrique: You are very perspicacious, Esther.
I’m a pack rat, and it’s extremely difficult for me to throw away any of my “stuff”. But when I do, I always feel lighter and more free.
Did Nick ever show up? And you never told me what Chi Alpha is.4 years ago
tree25: Atta girl!! Over the past few years, with all the moves, I’ve managed to get rid of most of my “stuff.” I agree with the “if it doesn’t fit in my car” philosophy :-) My best friend can’t believe that I can just get rid of all my STUFF, but I really don’t care that much…give me a camera and a computer and I’ll survive :-D (What does THAT tell you about my priorities ;-) )4 years ago
davidannweiser:
dude, that frikin’ rocks!
good call though, i think most of us are slaves to the master of debt–and don’t hate him enough to revolt.
4 years ago
presvlisa: That post made so much sense. Good for you Esther! Enjoy your freedom!4 years ago
desertland: Good thoughts Esther…:)4 years ago
espinosa_baca:
Perhaps FREEDOM really only means un-checked un-regulated capitalist consumption…
4 years ago
Argilemagne: I’m actually trying to go through a similar process myself. Since I move from Oklahoma to New Jersey in a few months, everything that can’t fit into my car isn’t coming, except my books of course. I don’t think I can have too many of those.4 years ago
theScalesandtheScorpion: For Bush, Freedom means the freedom to open their market and exploit their cheap labor and resources. When he talks of freedom, he’s talking of the freedom of our economy to exploit the rest of the world.4 years ago
UnleashedWeapon: Wow, that’s brave. I own way too much stuff, and yet, I have a very strong attachment to it all. I’m so uncomfortable with people I don’t know very well being around my stuff even sometimes. Ugh. Perhaps that needs to change.
I thank you for this post. It’s making me think about things.4 years ago