We all have stuff and things. Sometimes we hang on to our stuff and things for nostalgic purposes long after it's time has passed. And sometimes life asks us to let go of our stuff. Sometimes we're meant to pass our things on to others in a sort of legacy kind of way. And then the sentimentality of the stuff that we held onto is allowed to dissipate and we can let go.
Lately I've been prompted to be intentional about some of my stuff and things. To let go of some of it. To pass it on to specific people who come to mind.
I'm not even talking about the every day things that I can look at and ponder if I need to let go of it or not...I'm talking about the stuff that's been forgotten, the stuff that's been stored in boxes and moved from residence to residence over the years to find it's resting place in a closet or a shelf somewhere until it's moved to another sleepy spot. All because it's part of my life...part of my story.
But most people don't even know I have the stuff. That's the stuff I'm talking about. That's the stuff I'm now paying attention to and being intentional about.
And in the process of letting go...I am finding an important opportunity to give voice to parts of my past almost forgotten that have helped to mold and shape me in who I am today....but also the beautiful chance to speak into someone else life here and now and bless them within their life story.
Recently I was able to give 3 boxes of books from my 1970's childhood to a friend for her children after I learned that my collection of classical children's literature was highly desired. These were stories that I grew up with...that I read over and over...that helped to make my childhood magical. It made my heart smile to know that the children were pouring over the books with joyful interest and my friend cherishes them just as much as I have.
And today I passed on my vintage ventriloquist doll and marionette puppet from my childhood to a couple of very excited boys who are currently interested in puppetry (like I was when I was their ages). Getting to see the great care that they took in handling them and their excitement of the chance to learn a very unique skill (i.e. throwing their voices and putting on plays and skits) was worth any of my inner sadness of letting go of the puppets that had been a part of my childhood self expression.
*that's right...little known fact about me...along with acting in school plays, I was a ventriloquist and a puppeteer throughout my elementary and high school years, performing in talent shows and other events. *I was also a clown, and I performed skits with a clown troop at churches and did freelance solo clowning at parties and schools throughout my high school and college years. I still have the duffle bag that houses my clown costume...I'm considering who to give it away to also.
Why am I posting about stuff and things? I think it's part of my creative process. Seriously...childhood is where creativity is birthed. Books, toys, art supplies, musical instruments, and hours of performance opportunities...they were all there at the beginning of becoming an artist. They fed my imagination and gave me an outlet to explore that imagination. It's all part of the process.
I think that's why these things have stayed with me all these years and I've found it hard to let go. They were like the beginning chapters of my life's book. More than just things...they have born the memories of my childhood, where creativity began.
Lisa the artist, Lisa the performing artist, Lisa the lover of story, Lisa the lover of others' stories.
It's time to let go, it's time to be intentional, it's time to pass on to the next generation some of my Stuff and Things.
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