We went to see a movie the other week... Up in the Air... I think it was called, with George Clooney. He is a "firing-specialist" who flies all around the country going to companies that are downsizing and doing the firing for them. He's away from his one bedroom apartment for 320 days out of the year. Along the way, he does motivational talks called "What's in your backpack...", getting people to get a sense of what is weighing them down in life... family, friends, possessions, houses, etc. And then encouraging them to imagine what it would be like to have an empty backpack... like he does! He has very little contact with his extended family and he likes it that way. Nothing to tie him down...
And I thought about what was in my backpack... so to speak. All of the things that I have/own/need to take care of... People... Projects... Thoughts... Ideas... Dreams... There is a certain freedom in thinking of being foot-loose and fancy free... but also a certain loneliness... And while George's character had gone to one end of the spectrum, with virtually nothing in his backpack... the answer probably lies somewhere in the middle. Because, the truth is, we often do have way too much stuff and things in our lives... I have travelled to Europe with just a backpack (a small one) for 5 weeks... and there is a certain freedom in travelling so light. Only 3 changes of clothes and doing laundry when needed. But... Yeah... but... There are also many things that I have on the go... projects of mine... family tree stuff and photo books and other things. And then I begin to wonder... how many things am I holding onto that I say "I'll get around to that some day"... and deep down, I know that I probably never will... But I still cart this stuff around... thinking that someday I can give it away to somebody or make some money off it... But is that really the case?? Maybe I just need to get ruthless with all those little things that are hanging around and finally just let go of them... Not everything mind you... I do enjoy the family tree research immensely... it gives me energy! But, there are other things that don't give me energy! So... to take a look at see what's up... and what is not... and what can be let go...
1 comment:
Really interesting analogy. Think I will have a look into my own backpack however I have been getting rid of a lot of stuff lately anyhow. A special elder friend told me a long time ago to never throw out anything that helps you be creative.
Last Saturday I went on a cleaning binge and found it to be a kind symbolic 'letting go' of crap that was holding my spirit down..I even started crying as I was cleaning. It was an interesting weekend. I think Rascal was wondering what was going on! He's my Spiritual Guide. a doggod.
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