Spark of Joy
Marie Kondo is an author and the star of “Tidying Up.” Although Marie is not a Christian, her Shinto “Japanese way” of living reminds us of what Jesus said; “Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15)
Marie asks to pile all belongings (usually from the closet) to the center of each room, creating a heap of “bits and bobs.” Moving from each “category” at a time, only clothes, shoes, or memento that creates a “spark of joy” goes back into the closet. It’s really more than just decluttering.
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Komono and Shubui
The same strategy was used for paper documents, books, and art. Lastly was the purging of the “Komono,” referring to miscellaneous stuff in the bathroom, kitchen, and garage. Marie teaches the value of “shibui,” a subtle, silent, and unobtrusive beauty which is only possible when we let go and keep only things that matter most.
Sentimental things are difficult to let go of. Marie Kondo gives a simple formula that helps a person let go of old photographs or mementos – “does it give you a spark of joy?”
Begin 2020 by downsizing
Hoarding is a mental issue. Similarly, impulse buying, especially of things we don’t need or beyond our budget is being materialistic. We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out” (1 Timothy 6:6-7). Start the big year by downsizing.
We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out