Travelling Light

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15 (NIV)

I cleaned my oven tonight. And my refrigerator, the upstairs bathroom, kitchen and swept the living room floor. Tomorrow I will pick up the bathroom and change the sheets on the bed. Am I having company? No, I am going on vacation. As usual, I went into a cleaning frenzy prior to packing. And no, it does not matter that I know that I am leaving a teenage boy and two Dobermans to keep house. I tried, really I tried, but I had to give in and clean. It all started with the oven. I made lasagna earlier this week, and it spilled over into the bottom of the stove. I was afraid that youngest son might use it while I am gone, and the tomato sauce and cheese would catch fire. That’s my excuse, and I’m sticking with it. Anyway, the house is clean, and I am packed. I am traveling light this time around sure that the cabin we have rented will have a washer and dryer. I have a small duffle of clothes, a zipper case of medicines, shampoo, face cleansers and other essentials, a backpack with my laptop and another with my camera, a few library books and my Bible. Oh, and my motorcycle helmet. We’ll be hauling the bike in the truck until we get somewhere cooler. I am not getting on that motorcycle when it is 102 which it was yesterday. The list of what I am not taking is actually longer than the list of what I am taking. I am not taking my blackberry, felting or glass supplies, sewing, dress up clothes or shoes, a jacket or anything work related. I really do not think I could have survived one more week of work. It has gotten to the point that people say, “Are you okay? You don’t look well.” No, I am not sick, just sick of work! And people who can’t or won’t do their jobs. I was thinking about how I should start traveling light at work. Not just in expectations, but in stuff. I have a lot of personal items at my desk. I’ve been in the same job for twenty six years so stuff has accumulated. Awards, knick knacks, gifts from colleagues, pictures. When I temporarily moved my office to another site in April, I gave up my desk to a coworker. That meant I had to box up all my files and discovered I have way to much stuff. I took only two boxes full of things to my new desk. I like working in a clutter free space. When I move back to my old place at the end of the summer, I think I will give a lot of junk the heave ho. Another reason not to keep so much stuff is if they ever decide to get rid of me, I won’t have much to pack. One box is my goal. I plan on walking out with only one box. What about you?