#Day11: One man's Trash is another man's ....trash!

Remember that time from yesterday's post when my friends descended upon my house ready to throw out my crap support me in accomplishing my organizational goals?!

...They said something to me that first night that has really stayed with me ever since...

I was in the midst of processing out loud the fact that it is hard for me to throw things away.
I mentioned that I'd rather donate something or give it to someone else, even if they end up throwing it away.

One of my friends (not naming any names) said something to the effect of:

"Isn't that a selfish way to handle the process, being willing to waste another person's or non-profit's valuable time, resources, and energy to sort through and throw away YOUR stuff that you are more than capable of throwing away yourself. 

But just because it's hard for you and so you can feel better about not wasting, you make them do it for you?! 

Wouldn't it be more fulfilling to be able to hand over donations knowing that they were the best you had to offer and not just your discards?!"

(Well when you put it that way!!)

(I told you these friends mean business. No coddling going on over here!)

(This may or may not have been the look I was given when I was scolded challenged to see things a different way.)

...Then I saw this comment on my facebook blogpost from #Day9:

I present, my big sister, (and I quote) "Can you write a post asking people to stop 'donating' their crap to ministries? Let's give God the first fruits."

...which reminded me of a blog I read recently, "Dear God Let's Stop Giving our Crap to the Poor"

I have been on both sides of this exchange....giving "my discards" on one side....and then helping out with my Father-in-law's ministry where we received stuff like old, worn backpacks that are stained and holey for a back-to-school drive for kids who would rely on what we gave them to get them through their WHOLE school year (and possibly beyond). 

A good rule of thumb is:

 "If I wouldn't give it to my own kids, then I shouldn't give it to someone else's."

Herein lies my problem... 

I probably WOULD give it to my own kids (or even myself)...but maybe I shouldn't.

Maybe what I provide for my family and what I donate to others should be my very best that I have to offer, and not the very best deal I couldn't pass up... or the worst thing I couldn't throw away.

...and that applies not only to material goods, but to what I have to offer with my service, with my attitude, with my presence, with my life.

I'm making connections here, people! This is good stuff!

I think I'm ready for #Day11 of #theminimalistproject for #NoClutterNovember...

November 11th, my 11 things:

11 brand new items with tags.

Sometimes I'm not sure what to do with items that were never opened or used for whatever reason, be it that it just got lost in the shuffle or was a duplicate or whatever....but I don't know why it doesn't cross my mind to just donate them. 

For some reason I guess I feel I owe it to honor whoever gave the item by keeping it stored away.

What?! 

1. That doesn't make any sense when it's written down.

and 2. What a massive waste!

I am able to give something that is actually useful and could be a blessing to someone else.
Imagine that, donating something other than used discards!

So, "Goodbye, items that never had the chance to be useful. I smile to think that someone will get to enjoy you the way we never did!"