Day 280: Enjoy the Toys, Don’t Become Them
Are you attached to the things of this world or are you a spiritual being having an experience in this world?
I ask that question because if you're reading this, I believe you understand, or are beginning to understand what I'm asking.
I used to be hard core attached to things in this world. Even when my spiritual side was already making itself known to me.
It was how I grew up, the only thing I knew. I believed that getting more and better stuff was what showed you were smart and talented. It was the outward symbol of who you were.
At 25 I walked away from my first marriage to my high school sweetheart and didn't take anything. Just packed up my personal stuff and left.
At 34, I had just recently left my abuser and I left an entire household in storage except what fit in the back of a Jeep and moved to Mexico with my new boyfriend.
That move was when everything changed.
A year after moving to Cabo, I had everything in storage brought down to me.
At first I was so happy to see all my stuff. Furniture, music, kitchen stuff, decorations.
And then reality hit. I already lived in a furnished house. Where was all this stuff going to go?
I hadn't really thought about that. I just wanted my stuff back.
But I quickly realized I didn't need all that anymore. The attachment was fading. And every time I would move to a new house I would sell and give away more of my stuff.
By the time I moved back to the U.S. after the cancer my garage sale was mostly kitchen stuff and decorations.
I had become so much more of a spiritual being in my years in Cabo, the first time around.
That's the one thing I hoped to hold on to when I moved back to the U.S.
I didn't want to fall back into the trap of showing who I was by the things I had.
But then I became an author, speaker, created a big annual 3 day event and certain things were expected from me. So I played the role. It was a mask I wore to fit in, even though I really wanted to wear shorts, a tank top and flip flops.
I put on my nice clothes, heels, and my jewelry. I really did enjoy my jewelry. That was my work costume.
The more time I spent in the U.S., the more I could feel the pull of material things. That image to maintain.
But inside I had changed. I wasn't who I was in my 20's and early 30's anymore. I played the part and on the inside I never lost focus on the fact that I was a spiritual being. I put on the face that allowed people to see me.
It was completely different from the inside looking out. I knew who I was. I wasn't attached to those things. They were just things.
That's the difference. The outside may look similar to someone else, but the energy underneath it is completely different.
One person may wear the jewelry because she needs it to prove something. Another may wear it because it delights her.
One person may buy the house because it makes her feel important. Another may buy it because it supports the way her soul wants to live.
The thing itself is not a problem. The attachment is.
Now, I'm gearing up again. I have things I want to contribute in the world on a bigger scale again. And that will bring more money back into my life.
Will I continue living the lifestyle I live now? Yes. I choose this for soul reasons, not financial reasons.
Will I start to dress better and maybe put some of my jewelry back on? Maybe. It's just sitting there. Why not?
Will I buy a big house on the beach? Probably not. I'm more of a minimalist these days.
As a spiritual being having an earth experience you are not attached to any of it and can still choose to enjoy all of it.
The difference is where the feeling is coming from. Is it desperation or joy?
It's about your identity not being wrapped up in things and appearances. Not letting your ego lead.
When your soul is in charge and guiding your life, you can have anything you want, and know it means nothing in the bigger scheme of things. It's just toys.
This year for me is about being more visible and still being me. Creating tools to serve more people than I can serve 1:1 and still being me.
Allowing more money to come back into my life and still being me. Wearing the jewelry if I want to and still being me. Living simply because I choose it.
That is the freedom I care about now.
As a spiritual being having an earth experience, I can enjoy what is here without making it my identity.
I can play with the toys, appreciate beauty, receive money, wear the nice thing.
I can create comfort, ease, and pleasure.
And I can remember that none of it is the source of who I am.
Create your life intentionally to support who you are and how you want to live. Let the outside pieces serve the life your soul is creating.
Play with as many toys as you want. Just don't forget that you are the one playing.
You are not the toys.
Today's Gentle Practice
Think about one thing in your life that you enjoy, want, or feel attached to.
Ask yourself:
Am I using this to prove who I am, or to enjoy who I am?
There is a difference.
Notice the energy underneath the desire.
Is it pressure?
Image?
Fear of being seen as less?
Or is it joy, beauty, comfort, play, expression, and freedom?
You can enjoy the things of this world.
Just don't hand them the job of defining you.
With you,
Lynn
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