I'm someone who likes to hold onto things "just in case". In some ways this can be seen as a good thing - I see potential in items when others would just chuck them out (that is not just a metaphor). By the time I get rid of something, usually no-one else would want it as I've repaired it umpteen times, or it's worn out beyond salvaging. The less positive side of this is that I keep things when actually I no longer need them. In my head I think I may as well have them because at least I might make use of it one day rather than it go to landfill. But actually, some of the stuff in my house _could_ be being used by others instead of sitting purposelessly.
One of my friends helps run the "comfort zone" in Blackpool, such a fab idea, run by and for homeless folk. It occurred to me that instead of storing lots of towels for my potential future use, it is far more ethical to pass them on to people who can make use of them NOW. With this thought in my mind it was much easier to part with things and I now have a bag of 20 towels to take. And if my water tank leaks again, that's 20 towels I won't have to wash. I don't believe God works in that way, nudging me to get rid of things, but I do thing it's a good thing to come out of a bad situation.
I'm a bit sentimental tho. One towel was given by my friend who has just moved to spain, we used it to cover the sharp edges of the desk she gave me so it didn't break my car windscreen on the way home. Another towel was a birthday present from a friend who has also since moved away. So I've kept both of those :)
Giving is good. I shall look for more opportunities to give today. And here's an interesting clip on giving...
http://www.wimp.com/lookedcloser/
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