New enjoyments of old things

Many times I ponder about the amount of money I spend – the unnecessary items I tend to purchase, knowing that I don’t need them. Why do so many of us have the urge to drop money down on items that don’t enhance our lives or move us to some inner peace? After clearing away the Christmas ornaments, trees and lights and many other things too numerous to mention, I attempted to clean out an old wooden two door cupboard I purchased over thirty years ago. The piece was used in an old farm house in southern Tennessee and you can see several holes in the corners where mice made their entry to the cupboard – to sleep for the night or to wait out the wintry weather suddenly hurled onto them. I use the hole, worn with years of struggles perhaps, to run a lamp cord through and now I have a cozy and warm light on one of the shelves that houses many collections. One side holds about seventy five candles – many fragrances I have purchased and never had the occasion to light the candle and it sits idle, waiting for its turn to come out in the open spaces of my home, to be enjoyed by those who enter inside. There was a time when small votives were the “in thing” to purchase and I must have around fifty or more of these, in various shapes, sizes and fragrances. These too, are stored neatly in a pile, just waiting to be used. No sane person should have this many of any single item, but I have this bad habit of purchasing things in a quantity of more than one, because I just know I will need more than one. Who doesn’t? Last night while rearranging candles and votives and holders for each – I realized that I need to stop and really look at what I am doing. I don’t do resolutions very well, so I won’t resolve anything, but I promised myself and God to absolutely not purchase anything that has to be lit with a match or lighter until ALL, I mean ALL of these items I looked at last night have been used – totally UP. This I will do – I have to do this – it’s my way of staying in control of my purchases – my contribution to not be labeled a hoarder – frivolous spending of this nature, has got to stop and 2009 will be my year to do so. I shall be happy to report any inappropriate behavior that does not support my goal and objective to stick to this phase of purchasing. Who knows how much money I will have saved within a year? I look forward to being reminded of my commitment each time I look at the cupboard and especially the cute Believe greeting that meets me when I gaze at the shelf. I look forward to burning more candles in 2010; not to just burn them, but to give the items a chance to be enjoyed in my home.