PAY iT FORWARD

Gifts galore are often showered on people who are well loved.  The act of giving/receiving fills the longings in our hearts with goodness.  It is the effort and thoughtfulness behind the gift that fills our heart with a sense of belonging. The item is simply a 'symbol' of a person's kindness toward us.

Yet, we sometimes struggle with how to declutter our homes when we have things around us that are material symbols and reminders of the kindness extended to us by others.  It is easy to get caught in thinking we must keep the gift or the inherited possession until the world ends...  but maybe we are missing the point?  A gift is a token of some one's kindness.  Why not keep a gift on the move?   Enjoy the gift for a time then PAY iT FORWARD and bless someone else (a friend or stranger) with a token of kindness that was such a blessing to you!  An item has little 'heart' value without the 'act of giving' behind it.  Giving a gift... especially one that is unexpected and unearned could very well make some one's day!

If the idea of parting with a gift/inherited item is still a struggle for you, consider this idea:  Take a photo or two of the item, label it with personal information and the story behind it.  Keep the photo in a 'legacy album' or a 'random acts of kindness album' with other valuable photos.  You are now free to PAY iT FORWARD and bless someone else with the gift/inheritance item.

If you cannot imagine giving something of value away... then sell it or have someone else sell it for you!  The point is to remove it from your home when it becomes clutter or loses it's enjoyment value. 

Let us know about your progress!  You might encourage someone else with your story.  You never know! :)


Photos: An antique steamer trunk found in an old cottage on a lake near my childhood home.  My dad purchased and gifted it to me decades ago.  It has served many purposes in my home over the years but is now just taking up valuable space.  It is time this aged beauty moved on to bless another home... the photos remain with me and the gift will keep on giving!