SEASONED AND OVERSTUFFED

SEASONED AND OVERSTUFFED

We are seasoned travelers; my husband is more than I. Had you seen the stuff we packed for our last trip, you might have doubted this fact. We had a good excuse for carrying all the stuff – length of the trip and three different venues – urban, adventure and beach.

Here’s a secret from a well-seasoned and overpacked traveler - too much stuff comes with as many challenges as not having enough.

After flying seven hours, we landed at our first destination, retrieved our stuff, and faced the first hurdle… there are things that you can’t accomplish quickly and efficiently because the stuff takes too much space… i.e., waiting in the taxi queue for a larger than normal vehicle.

Opportunities meant to enhance are dismissed because the “stuff” can’t go with you. Suddenly stuff is the focus rather than the opportunity. Carrying a lot of stuff requires a level of planning and execution that diminishes agility.

I have arrived at the soft conclusion that excessive amounts of stuff might be an indication of lack of trust that my needs or wants will be supplied. It may also be a good indicator that the desire for the creature comforts of home overshadow what is absolutely necessary for the journey.

Carrying a lot of stuff signals a tendency to anticipate fear of being without some “thing.” The solution – prepare for every conceivable contingency. More dollars were spent paying extra luggage fees and energy used dragging the heavy bags than would have been spent if we purchased what we needed if we needed it.

Carrying a lot of stuff is a game called, “just in case.”

Extra baggage fees and small taxis plagued us. I lost count of the number of times the bags were unpacked and repacked to redistribute weight or find what was needed.

Being the optimist that I am, I should have anticipated success in finding what I needed rather than failure. I should have expected my wants and needs to be met and not disappointment. Had I channeled these thoughts, I would have packed less “just in case” stuff.

Whether it is a journey of a lifetime or the journey of life, traveling light enables one to transverse the valleys and the mountain tops freely and with agility. Crevices and cracks can be explored unencumbered.

Had I traveled with three less pairs of shoes, one swimsuit, no sunscreen (that stuff is heavy), no books which were never opened, less over the counter medicine --- well, you get the picture, travel would have been a lot easier.

Hebrews 12:1

PONDER THIS THOUGHT--- “Just in case, I need it” stuff almost never meets, “just in case.” Trust.

PS: You might want to remember not to OVERSTUFF on Thursday. Leftovers are good.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING.