Great American Clean-Out

Posted by David | Filed under Spirituality

As children, my siblings and I would periodically get so overloaded with random collections (coins, stamps, erasers, legos, et. al) that we had to get rid of other things. We usually had a big event entitled the “Great American Clean-Out” during which we’d display all the junk we didn’t want and either trade each other or simply chuck the stuff. Sometimes I got a really good deal, like a bag of marbles for a windup car or some such nonsense, but often we just ended up getting rid of a lot of unnecessary baggage.

Recently a friend of mine pointed out how Rich Mullins lived his life so simply, without a lot of material possessions regardless of his income. Inspired by that model, I’m thinking of reinstating the Great American Clean-Out, with a few new rules: something unnecessary must get tossed every week, and anytime I get something new, two old things must get tossed.

If I stick with it, eventually my material possessions will be limited to only personal needs and special mementos, with few current unnecessaries taking up time in my life. Also, I’ll be making back some of the money I originally spent and saving money I normally would spend, to be used for more important expenses like college, travel, and ministry.

Looking over my room tonight, I feel quilty for how easy this plan is going to be for the next, oh, year or so.

Permalink | October 11th, 2003

One Response to “Great American Clean-Out”

  1. SonsMelody Says:
    October 12th, 2003 at 3:49 pm

    This kind of goes along with the 40 Days of Purpose which Mt Zion is doing right now…. After my week long indulgence of decorating and organzing shows… I may have to do something along the same lines. I left a really nice, clean, organized house to return to my cluttered barely able to walk in room…. 8o(