Make the most of it

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I have been rummaging through my things today. They are mostly in boxes because I moved recently. So as I looked at each item, I thought of its potential, and I promised myself to make the most of it, whether it was a collection of gem stones or baking utensils, I felt that I needed to not renegade these items to things I own and never use.


We really have too many things. Sure, we accumulate stuff over time, when we want or need them, but oftentimes they are superfluous. I guess there is a dichotomy of interest.


I often refer to certain behaviours as either east or west. It comes from my German background. Even though I did not grow up in Germany, I have experienced enough of its history vicariously. On a documentary I watched about a couple in Germany where the wife was from the west and the husband was from the east, they discussed their differences. Their answers made such an impression on me that I still refer to it today.


So the wife from the west just bought something new when something broke, whilst the husband from the east believed in repairing things first.


This difference told me that the westerners were spoilt. They would be the ones just throwing things away if they did not like it anymore. The easterners were more likely to keep everything, even to hoard things, because they appreciated those things.


While I was often proud, in my ignorance, of being from the west, I appreciate so much more the attitude of the east. Of fixing something before giving up on something totally.


I guess I feel that the east represents loyalty, family and commitment, and the west represents wealth, success, and progress.


The two are not mutually exclusive, but I guess the pictures in my mind from images and words I have been exposed to throughout my life have left me with this ideology.


And as I go through my things, I wonder, what is the better attitude? To throw away or keep? To cut my ties to material things or to make the best of what I have?


What are you like when it comes to your things? I would love to hear your comments and opinions.

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