We are, to a certain extent, emotionally attached to all our possessions. Prized possessions, though, have a special meaning, and the attachment is generally stronger.
What are these prized possessions?
Pearls, silver, and gold? Cars, houses, boats?
In a survey done on all this super special stuff, or considerably credentialed crap, none of these are even in the top ten.
In no particular order, top tenners tend to be things like photographs, books, and stuff related to special days such as weddings and the birth of children.
Unexpectedly, as we work our way down the list of most popular prized possessions, houseplants come before cars.
Bicycles are way down in number 27, a few places after smart phones. What?
My bike would be in my top 3.
That might be because Linda and I unloaded most of our photographs and books in our Big Move in 2014 when we moved from Sooke, BC to Digby, NS.
Almost ten years later, we don't miss them, or the love letters we recycled.
Our priorities had changed, and old prized possessions were replaced by new ones.
Like comfortable underwear, which comes high on the list of the average person's most cherished possessions.
They come even before artistic tools and coffee makers, which makes sense. How can you enjoy doing art or drinking a good cup of jo if your underwear is uncomfortable?
Attachment to prized possessions, or any possessions at all, change over time as we grow older and wiser. Except comfortable underwear.
I never would have expected when I was young, to some day hold a good set of sharp kitchen knives to be way up on my top 10 list, but what can I say?
Good knives are essential in a working kitchen, and I can't believe I ever cooked with crappy ones.
Eventually, stuff begins to take on less meaning for us as less tangible things start to work their way into our lives and on to our lists.
Think of the love of a partner, or good health. Or wisdom, and patience.
What could possibly be better than those?
Except comfortable underwear.
What are your favourite prized possessions at this stage in your life?
I tend to admire things that last and are well made. Use a Wushthof knife which is nice in the kitchen which I sharpened with a whetstone yesterday. Also like my laptop, 23 years old and super fast running Linux.
ReplyDeletepeace,
Alex
Pretty impressive on the laptop. Wow. The laptop I am working on is about 11 years old. My favourite leather hiking boots are considerably older - almost 30 years old, and I still use them when I don't need much grip. We have gone on many, many adventures together, and are they are like old, comfortable friends now.
Delete- Gregg
Meant to say 13 years, half asleep typing this morning.
DeleteI have a trusty Tom Bihn backpack that I have owned since 2012. Still going strong and it has carried me through many adventures in life- from field work in refugee camps to carrying my daughter’s diapers, holding groceries, and keeping student papers dry when I walk home from campus. Recently, I was struck watching the expulsion of Gazans from the North to the South carrying a single backpack with arms raised in the air. Aside from my ensuring my family’s safety and keeping them close, what would I have put in my backpack knowing I wouldn’t get to return home? A sobering reflection on what really matters occurred for me. Take care. I love your posts.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite stuff is my outdoor gear. It was purchased with quality and longevity in mind and it did not let me down. Still using a lot of it decades later. Like the Merrell boots that just won't quit. Thank you for reading and sharing with us.
DeleteFree Palestine!
- Gregg
My wedding ring, my naturopathy notes, and my homeopathic remedies.
ReplyDeleteI would say my darling dog, but then she’s not my possession. She is her own, and God’s. I am lucky enough to have her in my life.
May all beings be happy. May all beings be peaceful. May all beings be free.
Peace, Erin
My three children are prized but not possessions. My pictures are tops. A good pair of comfortable leather shoes.
ReplyDelete