Decluttering and ???

I'm sure there are endless debates about "What do you mean by decluttering, AND, how do you do it???"  Specifically, I am referring to ways to handle your paper life -- all the old letters, diaries, photos, etc.

I can tell you that the decluttering process is profound in many dimensions.

1.  Going through all the pages and pieces is an overwhelming task.

2.  Having the gut to LET GO is an even more difficult task.

3.  By going through the history, it feels like you've relived your life from 35+ years ago -- it adds all the wonderful colors and textures back to your memory... and allows you to reflect on who you really are. 

4.  The realization of who you really are -- consistently over the past many decades -- is an awakening (and maybe also reassuring) event.

I'm sure there are endless debates about "How we can leave meaningful traces of life without creating chaos and new cluttering?"

I can tell you that after the heart-wrenching decluttering process over the past 2 months, I still feel tremendously grateful that I once took the time and effort to write a few words and keep a few photos.  It just adds so much vibrancy to our brief existence in this world...  

Thank goodness to the technology, we no longer need to write things down on a piece of paper or print out an image.  You can actually go "green" with your own footprints on earth -- what a concept!!

I'm sure there are endless debates about "Living a traceable or trace-less life."   

As much as I believe in Zen practice and the idea of "letting go," I still cherish the highly selective segments of my life stories -- along with all the true colors and tastes -- to remind me of how precious life really is and how fortunate I have been.  I am truly thankful for having special friends like you in my life.  Thank you for all your kindness and generous help over the past 3 decades!!