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Could you get rid of these shoes? I didn’t think so.

I love them. They are fun to wear and make me feel great – for about twenty minutes. The skinny straps, high heels, and wooden soles are painful. Before long, I kick the shoes off and would walk barefoot across broken glass before putting them back on. Some shoes are just meant to be carried.

But still, I can’t get rid of them.

I’ve been on a mission to purge. I’ve been going through the house, one file, one drawer, one shelf at a time. My goal is to own only the items that make me happy or that I need. I want to appreciate every little thing I have.

And I don’t want my stuff to take time away from the true stuff of life. I don’t want the responsibility of caring for it all to steal time from the people and things I love.

It’s also good stewardship. Someone else can make good use of what I don’t.

My most recent attack was in my library. I filled 12 bags of books for donation. Sadly, if you walked into my office, you wouldn’t notice any difference. The shelves are still full.

So I continue lightening the load, except for those beautiful, hurtful heels. Someday I will pass them on, but not today.

©2013, Mary K. Doyle