Streamlining: Important Insights Late in Life!

In sorting through accumulated notes, books, journals, magazines, personal items, letters and cards, as well as CD’s – stored in boxes, drawers, cupboards – I became mindful of the following reflections:

1. False underlying premise: That time would just go on endlessly!
2. Wrong thinking: No concept of, or realization of the:
   1. Shortness of life;
   2. Unpredictability of life.
3. Erroneous thinking: No concept of karma – specifically, the four laws of karma.
   1. No effect without cause
   2. Effect similar to cause
   3. Never loss of effect
   4. Effect expands
4. Consequences not thought about: Did not think of the consequences of:
   1. Lack of discipline;
   2. Lack of diligence;
   3. Lack of character.
5. Did not account for: The Internet revolution! Therefore, I stored so many notes, magazines, books, etc.
6. Mistaken thinking: False security and comfort in accumulating and hoarding!
7. The folly of hoarding!
   1. What for?
   2. GIVE instead!!!
8. Brevity of life – Think deeply about.
9. The PRESENT – This is what is important.
10. Focus on that which goes beyond life and death – the continuity of consciousness.
11. FOCUS: Now focus on what is really important.
12. Understand my HABITUAL TENDENCY of hoarding.
    1.  Has its roots in childhood!
    2. I saved all my school exercise books in boxes, hidden deep in the cellar at home!
13. Low self-esteem:
    1. I’m incomplete, not good enough. 
    2. So, I’m always striving to achieve perfection, always looking for a solution outside of myself.
14. Oblivious to the fact of: The timeless, precious within.
15. No concept of:
    1. Preciousness of time.
    2. Life’s shortness.
    3. Priorities in life.
16. Realize: That one cannot take ANYTHING with oneself!
17. ON LOAN ONLY: Everything is on loan, so to speak – for a relatively short time.
18. STEWARDS only – Be a good steward.
19. ON THIS EARTH: We’re only temporary guests!
20. We’re not OWNERS!
21. WAKE UP!!!
22. Now be a good steward of:
    1. Time
    2. Energy
    3. Resources
23. See what I can GIVE from now on!
24. Learn from my dear parents:
    1. My father: He lovingly built our family home in a country town in the state of Victoria in Australia. Enjoyed it for a time. Then, the day came when he had to walk away from it – to leave it all, and go to a nursing home, where he died about two years later.
    2. My mother: Suddenly left everything one winter, later in June afternoon after lunch – when she died of a heart attack!
25. There’s no need to hoard – give; be generous!!!
26. When the time is up for me – I will just have to go!

Alexander Peck (October 28, 2019)

(Revised March 9, 2020)