Moving Mountains

We heard recently that friends of ours who were living in China, were on the move again, this time to Australia. It was only a few years ago that they were living in Canada. I found myself thinking about their lifestyle and wondered if I too could just sell everything I owned and take only a suitcase to my next home. Can you imagine it?

First of all, that thought frightened me! Give up all that I've worked for? Part with the comforts surrounding me? Never! Then I began a game of "what if" and allowed myself to think "what if" I had no choice? Would that make it easier or "what if" I wanted a new life? Could I let go or "what if" the possibility of living a simpler and less stressful life could be mine if I downsized everything? I have to admit, my little game put a lot of thoughts in my head.

Taking my game one step farther, I went to my nearest pile of stuff and as I picked up each thing in the pile I played "what if" I could only keep what would fit in an 8' x 8' storage room? Would I keep this? In no time, my possessions took on a different value. I was able to part with much more than I would have if I had just come to the pile with unclear intentions. My game of "what if" carried me through an afternoon and changed what I thought about my clutter. I realized I didn't need to move across the globe to think this way. I just had to think "what if" I got rid of this? Would my life be so drastically changed? The answer was usually "No!"

Fortunately, I don't have to downsize my possessions into a suitcase or a small storage room. I also don't get to experience other cultures in faraway cities. The balancing point for me is living a simple life here. I can escape with a travel video to see what life is like in other countries, and I can save up and plan a trip somewhere exotic. When I hear my home calling me back, it will be there where it's always been. Maybe that's not an exciting life, but until I make changes to my lifestyle that turn my game of "what if" into reality, it's the life I will happily lead.

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