"Giving of any kind… taking an action… begins the process of change, and moves us to remember that we are part of a much greater universe."
- Mbali Creazzo
Never mind selling things, it can be a lot of work to just give things away. But it is worth the effort to be part of an exchange relationship not based on money and personal profit. To me it feels more natural.
This week I gifted our local public library with a wood chess table and ceramic pieces that I made in high school in 1978. When I start to think of how many times I have moved this functional furniture made by my own two troubled-teen hands, I am flooded with images of times and places passed.
I tried to tabulate how many times I moved the table over the years, but got dizzy and gave up. Considering the history, it was one of my most cherished give-aways.
A couple of days later, I visited to take a picture of the chess set in its new library home. I noticed that just inside the front door was a prominently positioned table with a display of several books on chess, along with a sign directing interested patrons to the the new acquisition.
I like the idea of leaving something behind in this place that we have come to enjoy so much.
Hello, I've been following your blog for a little while, but haven't commented. Just to say I enjoy your blog and your thoughts. Good luck for the future! It must have been quite hard to part with your beautiful table and chessmen. I am so glad the library has given it a place of honour and made an exhibition around it. It must have pleased you very much. I look forward to hearing about the place you move to and the lifestyle you have there. It is true, the more you declutter the easier it gets in lots of ways. I am much less attached to things than I used to be, and though it would be a nuisance to lose the stuff I have, I certainly would not be devastated! Frances.
ReplyDeleteFrances,
DeleteIt is good to hear that you have been with us for a while, and I like that you are now leaving a comment. It is great to hear from NBA readers so we can share support and inspiration with each other.
I was surprised and pleased to see how much our library appreciated our donation. It was difficult to part with my chess set, but I really did NOT want to move it one…more…time. It made me a little sad, but I was not "devastated", which is a good place to be.
We have thrown the doors open and all possibilities are on the table as far as our future is concerned. It is a very exciting time in our lives, and we anticipate that the extreme decluttering we are now going through will set the stage for the next phase… whatever that might be.
If nothing else, reducing our attachment to things make all of this worthwhile. What an exercise!
The chess table is beautiful. What a wonderful gift to the library and to yourself, knowing that it will be treasured by so many others. Think of all the new people who will use it, learn chess for the first time on it and make new friends around it's edges.
ReplyDeleteMiss Marla,
DeleteThank you - that is a beautiful way with which to see.
What a beautiful chess table and a most generous gift. How thoughtful to give it to a library where it can be displayed for others to admire, appreciate, use, reuse, and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI had the awesome pleasure of going to a very small rural library while in Texas last week. The people at small libraries seem especially appreciative of donations as it seems your library was. I have gathered a box of books to send them. Helped me declutter. It's nice having a personal connection where something I donate is going to be used. It's very satisfying, isn't it? Added bonus, it's a library, a place that values what I value!
Keep sharing this amazing journey you and Linda are embarking on! It's causing mass de-cluttering over here! A good thing!
Terri