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SOUL WORK......PLEASE DON'T DETOUR...JUST FOLLOW THE SIGNS


I believe Americans are the biggest consumers of stuff on the planet..



we buy stuff

we trade stuff



we make stuff

we hoard stuff


we give away stuff

we throw away stuff



we think about stuff

we even.....dream about stuff



Well...for me in this stage of my life....I'm trying to downsize......so I'm LETTING GO OF STUFF....

Which brings me to this thought
SIGNPOST FOR THE SOUL No. 2

There will NEVER BE enough STUFF to fill an EMPTY SOUL...

Please remember these are just my thoughts...take what you can use....and leave the rest.

Thanks to all of you sweet friends.

Jo
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Comments

  1. Grandma Yellow HairJanuary 17, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    You could not have said or illustrated this better honey.
    So many times I have said this to my children but they are not getting it because I did not get it until was old.
    Think of you often wondering how you are doing.
    Love
    Maggie

    ReplyDelete
  2. mxtodis123January 17, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    What a lovely post...pictures and words. Well said, my dear friend.
    Mary

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  3. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderJanuary 17, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    Dear Josette,

    You are so right about downsizing and most people should think about it before running out to add more 'stuff' for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's, Easter, etc. etc. etc.
    We cause the landfill to mount up way too much and very little of such 'stuff' has true value.

    Thanks for such great post with life's wisdom!

    Have a great week!

    Mariette

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sue G.January 17, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    I am sometimes frustrated at having a very small home, but at the same time, I am grateful that it keeps me from accumulating "stuff". I think too many people have houses that are way too big, and then they feel they have to have the "stuff" to fill them. It doesn't make a person happy.

    I have been attempting to declutter my books, which is really what I have the most of in my home, but it is tough to let go of my friends!

    ReplyDelete
  5. The Quintessential MagpieJanuary 17, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    Eeek! Is it okay to still like (and sorta, kinda hoard) stuff and have a full soul? I love my shiny objects, Jo. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownJanuary 17, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    I dont buy anything for the house anymore. I fig like what I have and dont want more bc too much STUFF makes me crazy too! I lived in Scotland with my husband who had a house there and after 4 years it was a bit of a culture shock when I came home. Americans collect so much stuff like you say! I didnt see big collections over there. Im sure some people did but in many nice homes I saw a few nice things but not to the decadance that many of us do and have. Im not saying they are better for it or anything, but they just have less. Even with the Christmas trees they werent overdone like mine is and many others! What is the old saying? Less is more and thats true lol.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Auntie sezzzzzz...January 17, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    Oh I so agree with you, on "stuff." I'd like to have only, that which the two of us love and use.

    But we have a long way to go, to get to this ideal. Oh well, a project is always good. :-)

    Hugs & ♥'s...
    'Cause Valentine Day is coming!

    ReplyDelete
  8. www.MaisonStGermain.comJanuary 17, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    How funny, our post are totally opposite today:) But I love yours and your point of view. I actually give lots away. I'm all about sharing whether it be my stuff, an idea,a great recipe, what ever:) Thank you for the sweet compliment on my blog:) Have a great week!
    ~Debra xxx
    Capers of the vintage vixens

    ReplyDelete
  9. Blondie's JournalJanuary 17, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    I agree that we can't fill a soul with stuff, but...some of it sure makes me happy! Thanks for getting us thinking, Jo!

    XO,
    Jane

    ReplyDelete
  10. VictoriaJanuary 17, 2011 at 12:54 PM

    Wonderful post Jo! It is wonderful to let go of things..and make space for the spirit and the soul to bloom.!!.and also..treasures that we once had ..to also bless someone elses life who may not have much..! Things are wonderful..but we are not our things! we can live wihtout our thing..but we cannot live wihtout the love of one another!
    Beautiful
    Hugs kindred
    Kiki

    ReplyDelete
  11. My Grama's SoulJanuary 17, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    Oh dear Jane....I, too, have my stuff and it makes me happy ...... also!!
    (O:(O:

    Jo

    ReplyDelete
  12. Castles Crowns and CottagesJanuary 17, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    Really, in the final analysis, this is all we take with us...the SOUL STUFF and it is nothing that we can trade, hoard or fabricate! Wonderful musings, Jo. Anita

    ReplyDelete
  13. Carole ReidJanuary 17, 2011 at 3:12 PM

    At the moment most of the "stuff" in my house is being stored for my daughter! I made a rule for myself to not buy any "projects".....anything needing stripping, fixing, painting, etc does not come through my door.
    It makes my life simpler and clutter free!

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousJanuary 17, 2011 at 5:44 PM

    What a wonderful post. I need to do some downsizing myself. I culled some things a few months ago but my home still looks cluttered to me. You have encouraged me to do so. Thank you! Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  15. GerryARTJanuary 17, 2011 at 11:23 PM

    Jo, thanks for the tidbits today.

    Love deeply hugs,
    Gerry

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousJanuary 18, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    Jo,

    "There will never be enough stuff to fill an empty soul."

    I'm learning to "downsize" on "stuff" myself, but it's a slow process. I'm learning that "just having stuff" only brings a short and temporary happiness.

    Only the Lord can fill us, and no material kind of material item(s) can do that.

    -Lady Rose

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousJanuary 18, 2011 at 6:54 PM

    I fully agree. If we let it get out of hand, consumer consumption can outweighs our fulfillment in personal and spiritual pursuits. About 4 years ago my husband and I went through the house and did some major downsizing. It has been a very liberating experience and we are much happier for it.

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousJanuary 19, 2011 at 6:46 PM

    Hey Josette ~ We all want to declutter at some point, mine was months ago which was what my post was about. I do tend to keep the good stuff, my happy stuff under my bed. :)
    Lots of hugs.
    Rosemary...X

    ReplyDelete
  19. Alisa NobleJanuary 20, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    It sure feels good to let go of stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  20. DapoppinsJanuary 20, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    I have so much stuff that I have inherited...so many collections or parts of collections...that I will never start my own collection of anything.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Elizabeth WhitemanJanuary 26, 2011 at 2:29 AM

    I think that once we have got beyond accumulating "survival" stuff, the rest is just a distraction from the important things we need. It's just filling an empty hole with the wrong things. Not to mention all the negative consequences to other cultures, the environment, etc.

    ReplyDelete
  22. lilybetsMarch 6, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    When I was a child I was very gelous of my things....but growing I have understod that friendship and true love can make us more happy than all !!!.

    ReplyDelete

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