Material Furl

Simplicity. It is harder to embrace than one could possibly imagine. Yet, it is the times when I am without the baggage of ownership when I have been happiest. It is a weight like a backpack that bogs us down and until you take it off you have no idea of the burden.

I've readily embraced this mantra backpacking. I have the smallest pack I can possibly use for mountaineering. And every trip, be it overnight or a week it is full. This is also the lesson of houses of which mine is quite comfortable. But a box or a bag must be filled. It is time to shed this weight so I can do more of what I love: travel, be it globetrotting or just comradere with old friends.

Continuing through John December's Live Simple, I inventoried my stuff (well, the big items beyond my outdoor gear and tools) and was surprised at its brevity:

Item Inventory	Support Goals?
Bookshelf	Yes, but books should be thinned
Computer Desk	Yes
Computer Desk Chair	Yes
Desk	Yes, as workspace for laptop (employer owned) and file storage
Desk Chair	No, only need one chair
Computer & Printer	Yes
Bed	Yes, but could be more practical
Nightstand	Possibly
Dresser	Possibly
Washer & Dryer	Possibly
Lamp	Yes
Table & Chairs	Yes, but could be more practical
Loveseat	Yes, but could be more practical
Sofa	Yes, but could be more practical
End Table	Yes, but could be more practical
Coffee Table	Yes, but could be more practical
TV/Stereo Cabinet	Yes, but could be more practical
Indoor Plants (3)	Yes, but could be more practical
Pots & Rack	Yes
Coffee Pot	Yes, but could drink less
Toaster	Yes, but not necessary
Toaster Oven	Possibly, duplicity with oven
Plates & Bowls	Yes
Tableware & Utensils	Yes
Bakeware	Yes
Glasses	Yes
Crock Pot	Yes
Patio Table & Chairs	Yes, provided not readily available outdoor seating

This is challenging. I only had the guts to say "No" to a duplicate desk chair that isn't really that comfortable. The loveseat and sofa fell close to this category, but at least one of them is nice to have to relax. I think I need to step back and examine the list again later. It is not that large, only 29 items.

Now I did leave a lot off of the list. All my tools, tents, packs, bikes, holiday stuff and clothes. These will have to be examined later. I also restricted it to items of a certain size. For example none of my 7 pocket knives were inventoried. But it is a starting point.

As I wrote earlier, my move to Idaho was based entirely off of the fact that I came to value time more than money. If I can live simply, my money will go much farther and I will be better able to enjoy the time that I do have. It is far easier to come up with money than time. Only one of the two is an artificial.

How often we forget.