Have you ever had one of those moments when someone says something so simple, yet so profound, that it completely shifts your perspective? I had one of those moments recently during my mom’s 87th birthday celebration.
There we were — Mom, Pop Joe and I — sitting around a table at a local restaurant, sharing good food and even better conversation. As we chatted about birthday gifts and wishes, Mom dropped a line that hit me like a lightning bolt: “Well, I certainly don’t want anything that I have to dust!”
Her words stopped me cold. In that instant, I realized how often we get caught up chasing success and accumulating more stuff, only to miss the simple joys that life offers. Mom’s wisdom sparked a deeper question: Are we spending too much time dusting our possessions instead of living our lives?
The Hidden Cost of Our Stuff
Mom’s comment about dusting isn’t really about housework — it’s about freedom. The more things we acquire, the less freedom we actually have. Something always needs attention, maintenance, or care. That beautiful vase needs dusting. The fancy gadget needs updating. The expensive hobby equipment needs storing.
I’ve noticed this pattern in my own life. The accumulation of things can actually rob us of peace and joy. We join this endless race to acquire more, and before we know it, we’re spending most of our time maintaining what we already have instead of enjoying life itself.
My Own Dusting Confessions
Let me be honest about my dusting dilemmas. That Big Green Egg grill I just had to have? CeCe reminds me weekly that I haven’t cooked on it in three or four years. (Yes, CeCe, I do listen!) Then there are those eight 14-foot trolling rods stored in the garage, even though I no longer troll for crappie. I could go on, but if CeCe reads this, I might lose some more of my “things.”
We’ve all been there, haven’t we? That purchase that seemed so important at the time, so necessary for our happiness or success, turns out to be just another item that needs dusting. The excitement fades, but the responsibility remains.
The Psychology Behind Our Acquisition Obsession
Why do we fall into this trap repeatedly? Our culture constantly tells us that more is better, that success is measured by what we own rather than who we are or how we live. We’re bombarded with messages that the next purchase will finally bring us the satisfaction we’re seeking.
But here’s what I’ve learned: satisfaction doesn’t come from accumulating things. It comes from experiences, relationships, and moments of genuine joy. The most meaningful parts of that birthday celebration weren’t the gifts we gave or received — they were the laughter, the stories, and the blessing of having healthy, independent parents at 87.
The Freedom of Less
When we stop focusing on acquiring and start focusing on living, something beautiful happens. We discover that we already have enough. More than enough. We realize that the space in our homes, the time in our schedules, and the peace in our minds are more valuable than any possession we could buy.
This doesn’t mean we should never buy anything or that all possessions are bad. It means we should be intentional about what we bring into our lives. Before making a purchase, we can ask ourselves: Will this add genuine value to my life, or will it just be something else to dust?
Living the Less-Dusting Life
So here’s my challenge to you: Before your next purchase, ask yourself if it will add genuine value to your life or just give you something else to dust. Consider whether the time, energy, and space it requires is worth the temporary satisfaction it might provide.
Maybe, like Mom, you’ll discover that the things you don’t buy bring you more joy than the things you do. Maybe you’ll find that less dusting really does mean more living.
Thanks, Mom, for making us all wiser. Your simple words about dusting have dusted off a truth we all needed to hear: that the best things in life aren’t things at all.
“If you were to anticipate how strong a company’s culture needs to be to transform and thrive in the future, Joey Havens paints a beautiful horizon in his book Leading with Significance.” Daniel Burrus
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