How do you know when you have enough of something, or too much of it? Is there a simple line to draw and say, “OK, I have enough now, thank you very much!”, or do we simply keep on collecting things until we eventually run out of room? I have a love affair with “stampin’ stuff”. I believe I might be addicted to having more stuff. I think I have lots of addictions though, food, soda, stampin’ stuff, and many more I’m sure. Does that make me an addictive personality? I don’t know. I do know that addiction runs through both sides of my family. I’ve always stayed clear of alcohol and drugs, knowing the addictive type of personality that runs in my family. Food though, is another story, you’ve got to eat, right? It’s hard to say that you are addicted to food, but I think it’s one of the hardest things to be addicted to. It’s not like you can just say I’ll never eat again, you HAVE to eat. Of course, you don’t have to eat chocolate, or ice cream, or fast food, or drink soda. You can choose to eat healthier things, drink water, enjoy fresh fruit and veggies, make wise decisions as it were. That is what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to make wise decisions, for my health, for my children’s health, and for our future. I want to be here with my husband for a long time, and I need to get myself in check if I am going to do that. So, to that end, I got up this morning, and got on the elliptical machine. I didn’t last very long, but it’s all in baby steps, right? I ate my special k cinnamon pecan, awesome cereal, for breakfast, and had a grilled chicken salad for lunch. This afternoon B and I made a fruit salad. Oranges, apples, grapes and strawberries. We left the bananas out this time. A & B had pineapple and fresh cherries in theirs too. Wise choices, that’s what I can do. The rest, it’s up to God, and I know He won’t let me down, if I do my part, He will do the rest.
This post started out about stuff, then kind of went off on a tangent, sorry about that. Back to my original thought, how much stuff is too much stuff? How do you know when you have enough? When do you just decide that enough is enough and be happy with the things God has blessed you with? I’m struggling with that right now. I have so much paper-crafting *stuff*. I have tons of stamp sets, ink pads, markers, ribbons galore, paints, glittery stuff, brads, eyelets, rhinestones, scissors, powders, you name it and I’ve probably got it. I could start my own store! But the thing that’s bugging me is that I still want more. I feel at times like Veruca Salt from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! I’m impatient, I want new toys to play with, when I don’t play nearly enough with the toys I have. Another thing I have a ton of is books, I have read every book I have, well, not counting the Bible studies I haven’t done yet or all the translations I have of the Bible, haven’t read through all those yet. I plan to one day, but I digress, again… When does a person simply say enough is enough and let go of that incessant need to have more things. I so want to be there, I desire so deep within my heart and soul to just let go of my stuff and just be, just enjoy who God made me to be. I’ve become so wrapped up in having this stuff, that I think it’s detracting from who I am. I am becoming defined by my stuff, and I don’t want that. So, to that end, I am on a budget for one, which I’ve never really had before when it came to those things. I get a certain amount of money each pay period that I can use however I choose. Secondly, I’m really becoming much more discriminating on what I buy. I dont’ just rush out and buy the newest toy or newest Bible just because it’s new and I want it. I am praying about what is the right thing to do. How can I use this to further the Kingdom of God, how will this help me to grow in Christ. If I can’t find answers that satisfy those questions, then I really don’t need it.
I don’t know what is harder, eating healthier or trying to be more stuff healthy. Either way, only through the Grace of God can I accomplish any of them…
in Him,
Trish
Free To Dance 
Great post!! I feel the same way sometimes. I think it has alot to do with the times we were raised in. My parents struggled when I was a child and we just barely scrimped by most of my childhood. I don’t buy as much “stuff” for me, but I do see me buying lots of things for my girls that are not totally necessary, mainly clothes! As for the food thing, I am going to make a conscious effort to start eating better too. I would so like to lose like 20 lbs. by the time I come to see you in October!!
Love ya Hunny!!
Dawn