it's about the joy . . .

tonight my small group begins reading "money & faith: the search for enough" by michael schut. i read the first few essays in preparation for the small group meeting and am quite taken by what i've read so far. the take-away from the introduction is that "abundance" is defined by "joy," not necessarily more - as i like to call it - schtuff. the oxford dictionary defines "joy" as "extreme pleasure."

for some people, joy can be found in their things. that's different from schtuff because their things reflect them and their personal history. there are the books they've read over and over, pictures of family and friends, the cabinet that had been their grandmother's, and the very imperfect hunk of clay that resembles a bowl that was given to them by a child. these things are displayed with love and bring a smile to their owner's face.

in contrast, there is no joy in a pile of schtuff collecting dust. and, quite frankly, it doesn't retain much value either. years ago i worked part-time at a high-end auction house. i really love history and have had a lifetime fascination of how people have related to their possessions. what i found interesting about the estate auctions was how things that seemed unique and priceless were devalued because of their condition. they were wet from basements, dried-out from attics, or broken from hasty packing.

it is human nature to take care of things that have meaning to us. it's where we can find our joy. nineteenth century artisan william morris is quoted as saying, have nothing in your home you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. to which i add, and that you want to dust. it stands to reason that if you're not willing to care for it, you're letting it go to blazes. and that is not a joyful act. it's ok to let it go.