Comments on: benefit #22 – less places for your heart to go

By: Tyler Durden

Tyler Durden — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 23:22:06 +0000

“The thing that you own, own you.” Or something like that.

By: Yan

Yan — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 14:28:00 +0000

Several years ago my wife and I became debt-free and vowed never to borrow again. When the time came to buy a car, we bought a used one for cash. After driving it for a few days, I noticed something interesting: I wasn’t as worried about this “new” car as I had been in the past when we bought a “real new car”. If I drove behind a truck and a rock hit the car, I didn’t obsess about the possible scratch on the paint (there were a few that came with the car!). If I parked in a tight spot, I wasn’t worried about a possible ding from the other drivers. This peaceful feeling (coming from the absence of worries) helped me reduce my attachment to other stuff as well. Nowadays, whenever I feel attachment for something, I remember that, in due time, that thing won’t exist anymore, or will break, or will get damaged, and I immediately start the process of letting go. At the same time, my enjoyment of the thing (or person) doubles, because of the gratitude I feel for its perfection in the present moment.

By: Jplent

Jplent — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 22:34:31 +0000

My Mercedes came with dents…..the best of both worlds.

By: Fathers Leading The Rebellion Against The Status Quo! | elevated simplicity

Fathers Leading The Rebellion Against The Status Quo! | elevated simplicity — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 19:40:47 +0000

[...] this post by Joshua and you get a glimpse of where his heart [...]

By: Tom

Tom — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 22:20:57 +0000

“where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This comes from Jesus’ sermon on the mount of olives, found in Matthew 5-7. This particular axiom is found in 6:21.

I completely agree with your sentiments about the car. A brand new black BMW would probably grab my heart in a different way than my Toyota pickup.

The other side is that if it wouldn’t have been a stranger who scraped your car (say it was your daughter while learning to drive… okay, someday) and the value of your car then estranges your heart from your precious daughter.

Thank you for posting about your experience. It’s very interesting!

By: minimalist.minimalist.minimalist. « Adventures Wherever He leads.

minimalist.minimalist.minimalist. « Adventures Wherever He leads. — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:05:07 +0000

[...] benefit #22 – less places for your heart to go [...]

By: Frugal Folks

Frugal Folks — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:00:39 +0000

I just found your site and based on reading this first blog about “where your treasure is” I know I’m going to love it here. I have my heart strings tugged at times when I’m least expecting it, sometimes leaving me sad, sometimes happy, and sometimes angry. Having an accident or any emergency clears your mind quickly and sure lets you know where your heart lies.

Our family is dedicated to finding ways to live a more frugal lifestyle. Not just because money is tight, but because minimalist living is the right thing to do. Cluttering up our homes clutters up our lives which clutters up our minds. I truly appreciate this marvelous website and your thoughtful posts. You are definitely worth a daily visit! Keep up the wonderful work you do!

By: Linda

Linda — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 06:46:03 +0000

These stories make me glad we only bought a €1000 used car…. ;)
It has its fair share of scratches, but as long as it does its job, we’ll be fine

Greetings from the netherlands!

By: Noelle

Noelle — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:49:47 +0000

I’m sorry about the incident with your car. I understand that awful feeling in the pit of your stomach – your stuff got damaged through no fault of your own, there is no one to direct your unhappiness at, and the onus is all on you to get it fixed.

It is hard to not value more the things we paid more for/value more and I think you are right that less stuff and/or less valuable stuff would not have the same emotional impact and better to invest ourselves in meaningful activities. This is why I resist attempts from family to give us heirlooms or valuable gifts, so that we will not have to assume the burden of taking care of the “crystal candlesticks that used to belong to Grandma,” etc.

By: Eric O.

Eric O. — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:13:46 +0000

A pastor friend of mine once told me that the thing you think about right before you go to sleep at night is what you treasure is.

So if this is true, apparently what I’m going to have for breakfast the next day appears to be what my treasure is much of the time.

However, it does give you something to ponder.