The Older I Get

With each passing year I find that there is less and less that I need. The truth is none of us need all the possessions that we acquire over the years.

If I were to look back and take stock of all that was purchased because it was "needed", I am sure I would be stunned at how many thousands of dollars were spent. Just imagine how much good could have been done if that money were used differently.

When it comes to clothing, I admit to being a slave to fashion at different times in my life. As each season came along it was a given that I would go out to purchase new clothing based on what the latest trend was. How could I possibly wear last year’s styles? I'm embarrassed to admit there were even things that sat on a hanger never to be worn.

Shoes, boots, and sandals; I openly admit this was my addiction even more so than clothing. I cannot even begin to count how much footwear has entered my closet over the last fifty plus years. Spring, summer, winter or fall there were shoes, boots, or sandals to match my attire.

And then there were the accessories, earrings, necklaces, rings, and purses. Jewelry boxes full, and bags placed on shelves or hung on hangers. More than I truly needed and some that never were used more than a few times.

There is some good that came out of all these purchases. Once I decided I did not need or want some of these items in my closet, I would clean out and give it all to a charitable organization. I always knew that someone else would certainly be able to use these items.

Of course, we could get into the automobiles I have owned over the 50 years I have been driving. The list would be longer than I care to admit. If I had kept some of them more than a few years I could have saved a good amount of money.

The point of all of this, is that the older I get the more I realize that there is extraordinarily little I need. Although I do like to purchase new clothing every now and then, I find that I tend to wear my old favorites on a regular basis. My shoes are not the fancy, stylish ones of my youth; today they are the ones I find the most comfortable. At this point in my life, I find more joy in doing for others rather than spending on frivolous things. There is nothing better than seeing the happiness on someone’s face when they receive an unexpected gift.