As I’ve been telling you recently, we’re on the road. We’re currently staying in about a 1000 square feet. We brought with us, pretty much, the bare essentials. For me that means living with what I need, not everything I would prefer to have on hand. My sons begged me to pack light on this trip so there would be room in the car for their stuff, too! I’m laughing right now. They know their mother. I always have ’stuff’ around. Useful bags and papers and books and articles of interest or items of industry that I might need. It’s how I operate – my creative side demands resources in order to produce content and I hate to leave the house without them because “what if I need them for something important?” “What if I suddenly need to speak or write an article or encourage someone without my ‘tools’?” My husband on the other hand, is a very streamlined, commanding sort of guy and he’s insisted over the years that I learn to pack light. At first it seemed a cruel request of a woman with my personality and make-up, but soon I found it was a great exercise in self-control and brought PEACE to my life – and to my husband’s life, too. One trip in particular that comes to mind was three weeks in South Africa with my briefcase and small black roll-on suitcase. That’s it. I spread clothing items across the bed as I was planning what to take, er, what would FIT in the bag. One pair of shoes, two pair of pants, a couple pair of shorts, a few shirts, a couple pair of earrings, flip flops – all coordinating pieces that I wore in various combinations over the course of the trip. A teensy-weensy beauty bag and, well, you can imagine not much else. It became an adventure to see how many outfits I could create from the basics I’d brought along. Building up to the present time away, I’ve had lots of practice over the years carrying less than most Americans would tend to carry on trips. My jaw never fails to drop in disbelief to see what many women haul through airports. Enough clothes and shoes and beauty products for 2 months away, when they’re only staying a week! It’s pretty predictable to see a flustered woman at the head of the line at check-in, engaged in a battle of ‘making the suitcase weigh less than 50 pounds’, whipping out stuff and jamming it into her giant feed-bag-style purse to carry on. I’ve yet to see a man in that scenario, unless he’s the embarrassed husband! It occurred to me the other day what peace and contentment I’m feeling in my small spaces with limited resources, at the present. A few plates, cups, dishes. Just enough furniture. Less to clean, less options, much less clutter to deal with. Simplicity. I just handed one of my favorite books to a couple of friends. It’s called Clutter’s Last Stand by Don Aslett. He writes an entire philosophy on buying less, keeping less, packing less, hauling less, moving houses with less…and how it not only enhances your surroundings, but your mental and emotional state and interpersonal relationships. It’s very convincing and has inspired me to make lifelong adjustments toward more peace and less chaos. One quote from the book that will never leave me is this: “Don’t love anything that can’t love you back.” That’s a profound statement about our ’stuff’ and the place it should hold in our hearts. I’ll always be endeavoring to streamline since it’s not my strong muscle, and tools like Don’s book assist me in my efforts. Perhaps you’re like me and need help in this area. Dream big but start small. Attack a closet, the fridge, a misc. kitchen drawer, underneath a bed, the medicine cabinet…and begin to purge. It will fuel you for more ruthless attack on your clutter. Freedom comes! Right now I’m enjoying living light.