There were some times in my life that felt like they were lived inside a box – literally and figuratively.
I enjoyed growing up in an apartment box with similar boxes below and next to us – 6 families in all. But some live in boxes that don’t fit so easily.
In my 7th year, the purchase of a variety store demanded a lot of my family – and especially my dad, Art, who for the next 50+ years (7 days a week, 365 days a year) rarely had an escape into the world of play.
And in adulthood, I followed in those footsteps with a showroom filled with boxes and displays of beautiful, decorative things that found their way into stores and people’s lives. Just to get them there was a full-time job that kept me boxed in for 70-to-80 hour-work weeks, for way too many years.
Still surrounded by lots of boxes, attempting to see what I can empty and release, I’ve come to realize that a lot of it has been about my addiction to work and building boxes . . . as a measure of worth. It’s time to let go! Old habits die hard, but I’ve been “working on” freeing up the space and time for writing, photography, being out in nature, or enjoying friends, family and the simple things of life. But don’t tell me to toss old photos, cards, letters. I’m still very sentimental and hold memories dear.
While writing this article, I thought about those who may be feeling boxed in because of where they live or where they come from. Or those challenged because of the color of their skin, or their financial situation. And how painful would it be to feel boxed in due to an illness, physical handicap or because you’re not emotionally able to get yourself ‘out there’. It’s not easy to change one’s life and limitations.
And then there are the long-held emotions that can keep us emotionally boxed in . . . the hurtful losses or sad memories that we can’t seem to let go of, even though they may still cause discomfort or pain. Or the old beliefs that prevent us from trying things or breaking out into a new way of being. It took years to convince myself that I could be a writer and yet, I still had to tell myself that just breaking out of the box and exploring new sides of myself are worth the effort. They were . . . and are!
And who didn’t feel boxed in during Covid, living behind masks and wary of others? Even now, it is difficult to watch local and world news and not feel a little anxious about venturing ‘out there’.
As we age, our living spaces can get smaller with less room for all of those things that were once so important. Some of us may be experiencing compromised health, or have been saying good byes to parents and those we’ve loved. It is eye opening to see the effects of someone’s life, be quickly dispersed once they are gone. That will be true of ours too someday. So perhaps we should let go of more things that are superfluous now . . . instead of leaving the task to someone else. And ultimately, to free ourselves of so many ‘to do’s’, so that we can spend quality time with those we love and to live more fully in the present moment with joy . . . for as long as we have left on this planet.
Let’s toss out what no longer serves us and break free of what keeps us from fully enjoying, and being grateful for who and what we love.
Speak Your Mind