Comments on U N L O A D E D: Just Another Sentimental Thing

Oh & thanks on the grandma thing. :-)People - Even...

2007-08-31T08:29:07.619-04:00

Oh & thanks on the grandma thing. :-)

People - Even ***I*** saw Top Gun! And I've only seen two movies so far in 2007! :-0

Yeah, I don't really keep up with famous people (I...

2007-08-31T08:27:20.003-04:00

Yeah, I don't really keep up with famous people (I can barely keep up with unfamous people) but last I heard he seemed a little disconnected...

I still doubt total sanity is the norm though. :-) :-) :-) At least the outwardly sane people I meet seem pretty few and far between. :-)

I don't think it makes you insensitive Jill it's j...

2007-08-31T00:03:26.840-04:00

I don't think it makes you insensitive Jill it's just being practical. Ask yourself, would your grandmother want you to be weighed down by carrying too many of her things. I doubt she would. She'd want you to get on with your own life and your own things.

I do think Tom Cruise was more together way back when. He has gone a bit wacky.

"Ahh. Back when Tom Cruise was sane.""Yes remember...

2007-08-30T23:20:20.655-04:00

"Ahh. Back when Tom Cruise was sane."

"Yes remember when Tom Cruise was normal?"

Now wait a minute here...are you sure it's fair to equate sanity with normalcy? KIDDING!!!!!!!!!! Sort of...

This just made me think of your post - my daughter...

2007-08-30T22:00:44.824-04:00

This just made me think of your post - my daughter just brought over a bunch of junk from her dad's house, including some of my baby clothing hand knit by my grandmother. What on earth am I supposed to do with that stuff????????

It's not something anyone would actually use. I'd feel bad throwing away something my grandmother who has been gone for 14 years now knitted for me as a baby. But I also have absolutely no desire to let it take up closet space.

I think I might have just nominated myself for most unsentimental person on the planet...

Random - I have had those same feelings. The "wha...

2007-08-28T13:56:29.579-04:00

Random - I have had those same feelings. The "what if" always creates this feeling to play it safe and not take a risk. Some of these feelings are good to have. but if taken to far it can make you a slave to things. It's a difficult balance really. Finding out what to let go of and what to hold onto is a trial and error thing in my opinion but it can be done. Don't let the need to hold on too much destroy your ability to move forward in your life. I mean that in both the emotional sense and material sense. You never know what new discoveries you could be denying yourself. And that is tragic.

Maritza - That does indeed sound like a sad read but compelling stuff. Yes I've seen things I've thrown out on eBay selling for 300 bucks or something and it pisses me off. But who knows what will be worth that much and what won't? You're right. You can't keep it all.

Leon - Hey there friend. I will update ASAP. thanks for the heads up. Yes remember when Tom Cruise was normal? Tragedy ain't it? Such a classic film.

Ahh. Back when Tom Cruise was sane. Funny how we a...

2007-08-28T05:52:24.742-04:00

Ahh. Back when Tom Cruise was sane. Funny how we attach such sentimentality to material things, especially when you have to dispose of them.

http://mythoughtsonstuff.com

Update your blogroll.

I'm always sorry I threw out memorabilia whenever ...

2007-08-27T19:56:18.835-04:00

I'm always sorry I threw out memorabilia whenever someone else brings up an occasion or I see some stupid record I used to own going for like $50 on Ebay.

You can't keep everything.

You should read, "The Things They Carried" which is about the special mementos and keepsakes a group of soldiers carried while in Vietnam. Heartbreaking read.

I just have this overwhelming feeling to get rid o...

2007-08-27T10:53:31.844-04:00

I just have this overwhelming feeling to get rid of things that have been lying around for so long and not being used. Just there for the 'in case' and that insecurity is what I want to get rid of. Just be brave that even if I don't have it when I need it, I will be able to do without

Clay that is classic. Good thing you didn't say it...

2007-08-27T00:05:06.995-04:00

Clay that is classic. Good thing you didn't say it to the likes of Michael Vick.

JohnB I would say that no one should have to go through with it. Part of that ordeal made me jaded an cynical and there's something beyond the items that I lost that I will never be able to get back. I can't pinpoint it but it was something significant.

The story behind your exudation nostalgia I must a...

2007-08-26T11:23:36.783-04:00

The story behind your exudation nostalgia I must admit pulls at my curiosity strings a just a little bit...the only things I hold onto are items that have a tangible way to aid in remembering the past, like pictures, things I've written or others have written.

It's hard to say what I would do if faced with a similiar circumstance as yours as I have been lucky (unlucky?) enough to not to experience. Really though, I know I would do what needs to be done.

Speaking of Top Gun......We actually had a guy nam...

2007-08-25T21:31:58.271-04:00

Speaking of Top Gun......We actually had a guy named Pete Mitchell as a tight end on The Jacksonville Jaguars a few years back and when I met him I said,
"Hey man, Sorry about Goose". He thought it was hilarious. LoL

Meleah free yourself of these things and toss them...

2007-08-25T19:45:58.762-04:00

Meleah free yourself of these things and toss them into the fire! LOL! But seriously DO NOT part with your photos/ You do lose something by losing them. I'll give you that. Yes 2000 sucked. I thought I was going to die. It's also the Year Bush cheated his way into the White House. Then I really felt sick. I will resent that year with all my being. Top Gun is a classic. I'm shocked so many have not seen it.

Enemy - You had the right idea by narrowing it down just to a few choice things. I remember seeing our household dismantled before my eyes and watching them sell off our dinner table, pots, pans, dishes, sofas, and my grandfather’s easy chair was awful. I felt dead inside. But I could not keep all of that stuff but it hurt.

BBE - If you've got the room so be it but don't let it crowd you out of your own space if you get my drift. Photos mean a lot. I don't have many but I totally understand.

SJ - Sorry to be bleak on you but you always have hot shots to watch as a chaser. I think if you work hard to get something you should appreciate it and yes the floor can drop out from under you from anytime so cherish what you have if you got it.

Jill - OK and have fun swimming with the youngsters.

Random Glad to be of help. Do allow yourself some small joys and big ones, of course, but don't be too weighed down by the excess. Sounds like you are on the right track with that. If there was an easy way to let go of negative feelings I'd love to know because they seem very hard to shake, don't they? Do you wonder if the things you hoard are, in some way, adding to the negative feelings? Does the physical contribute to the emotional? Is the emotional being represented by the physical? I don't know the answers but these are the things I thought as I read your comment. Good luck as this will be a tricky but rewarding mission for you.

Life's really strange - when you are on a personal...

2007-08-25T18:15:11.353-04:00

Life's really strange - when you are on a personal mission you come across things that just help you along. I am a hoarder by nature and these days my quest is to trim away things I don't need or I cling too.. I want to divest myself of the not required...to be empty so to speak. Whether it be possessions or negative thoughts. In this mission the first thing I have to do is throw out things I've been holding on to for so long...and your post is given me a little more courage to go there.

Sign me up for both lines! (KIDDING! I don't thi...

2007-08-25T14:43:32.484-04:00

Sign me up for both lines! (KIDDING! I don't think I've ****ever**** read a slap worthy word from you. :-) Later on the stuff - gotta taking the little guys swimming. :-)

That IS bleak dude. Teaches me something too - whe...

2007-08-24T13:42:55.274-04:00

That IS bleak dude. Teaches me something too - when you have stuff appreciate it never know when you might have to throw it away. Not what you might be preaching.

I've seen both Top Gun and Hot Shots. Liked Hotshots better. The "father's eye" scene was priceless.

I'm sentimental, but I have a place to keep everyt...

2007-08-24T12:09:05.833-04:00

I'm sentimental, but I have a place to keep everything, so I can be. If I had to get rid of everything, and could only keep a few things, it would be my photos.

I havent' seen Top Gun either.I agree: I learned t...

2007-08-24T10:01:53.613-04:00

I havent' seen Top Gun either.

I agree: I learned that one when my mom died. There she was-dead--and there was this house full of stuff that we had to make decisions on. At first it was very hard for me, but I finally settled on a couple of things that epitomized her and junked the rest. Things indeed can own you.

I save everything. I am a sentimental FOOL. I save...

2007-08-24T09:28:03.764-04:00

I save everything. I am a sentimental FOOL. I save cards, gifts, letters, EVERYTHING.

In fact, I think I might need to clean out and get rid of some of the "junk".

But, there are some THINGS I can not / will not part with.

Like all of my photos, or all of the journals / letters I have been saving since I was 9.

On another note, I am glad you made it through that YEAR 2000. That sounds awful.

Oh.....and I LOVE TOP GUN.

MsQ - Thank you for the very kind words and I real...

2007-08-24T01:17:27.474-04:00

MsQ - Thank you for the very kind words and I really appreciate it. You know, part of me, while I was going through that mess still tried to dress very nice and not look like a total bum because it was a dignity thing. I think there is dressing nice and looking good because you respect yourself and there is dressing nice and buying expensive stuff to one up everyone. I still go nutty if I see the really nice car on the street or marvel at a really lavish place but...I don't make it my mission to try and acquire those things because if you are not happy with you then it's all worthless. I love to spoil myself now and again but I'm definitely not the guy who must have all the latest toys to be happy. I have self respect but not material ambitions. So I guess you are onto something there. I really don't want to ever go through anything like that again however. As far as hugs go, not sure if there would be a line but there are plenty of people waiting to give me a slap! LOL! ;-)

That was a powerful post. Thank you for sharing yo...

2007-08-24T01:04:21.471-04:00

That was a powerful post. Thank you for sharing your pain with us as well as the lesson you learned.

I am sorry that you had to go through that - throwing all that you had identified with into a ... dumpster.

I like your pointing out how the source is in us, that the power we imbue in an object originates within us.

Your experience, while against your will, reminds me of how religious people take a "vow of poverty" and give up all their belongings. My understanding on why people do this is to show faith that God will provide and it also shows that you release your attachment to "goods" and present yourself "as is."

In your case I think that in being forced to let go of all these objects that you identified with, you had to find faith in...you.

It is very freeing to not let objects hold power over you. Have you also found that you have little real desire for things? For example, you may want a nicer car or some cool new shoes and you may get them but overall, they aren't compelling?

Based on what I've read, I am guessing that your experience has led you to be more impressed by people and who they are than by what they have. You certainly are very supportive and understanding towards many people (fellow bloggers).

I think you're amazing to have survived through that experience (and many other painful ones) and still have retained your heart.

Ricardo: you totally rock. I wish I could give you a hug for as long as you needed one. I have feeling I'd be waiting in line, though!

Thomas I think there is a grain of truth to that t...

2007-08-23T21:27:34.057-04:00

Thomas I think there is a grain of truth to that to. However the military strips you down to build you up in their image. So they are taking away what makes you you in order to make you a good soldier and being a good soldier from what I can see is not the same as being an individual. It's not that the military hates individuals but the team aspect of the military kind of dictates that you be made into what they want to be to keep things running smoothly. I can understand it but I also have a problem with it. It's some of the issues I'm touching on here taken to the extreme. I think there is some merit in expression provided it comes from the inside out.

I have a close friend that went to a military acad...

2007-08-23T21:21:05.502-04:00

I have a close friend that went to a military academy. He asserts to me that one cannot learn to be one's true self until one has had all of the false trappings of expression stripped away.

When you're put in an environment where your modes of dress and grooming, the objects you are allowed to own and the ways in which you are allowed to spend/waste time are rigidly controlled for months, even years at a time, the extrinsic parts of yourself become irrelevant.

So he says, anyway. I don't completely agree but I see the grain of truth in it.

People - You never saw top gun? SAHME! But serio...

2007-08-23T20:05:00.656-04:00

People - You never saw top gun? SAHME! But seriously, it's just a silly 80's action flick. Women loved it for Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer and men loved it because we got to see planes getting blown up. Everyone is happy. Sounds like you Honey has a thing for sentimentality.

Monique - Isn't it amazing how stuff adds up over time. Yes you can part with a lot of stuff if you think about it. It is the memories that matter.

I have so much junk. I'm paring down and will have...

2007-08-23T19:43:51.737-04:00

I have so much junk. I'm paring down and will have to pick up the pace since I'm going to be moving. You're right, it's the memories that matter, not the objects themselves ...