This morning, I met with clients to discuss selling the majority of their personal belongings. It was obvious they were reflecting on their life as we discussed selling a large portion of their personal belongings. Towards the end of my appointment, we had an interesting discussion about what defines our lives. We agreed that after their assets are sold, they still will have their friends, family, and their beliefs. I couldn’t agree more.
In my business, I often meet with clients that are at major crossroads in their lives. It’s interesting to note how people handle the selling of their materialistic possessions. For some people, the day after their life possessions have been sold, their lives have not changed. They are the same person. For other people, they will never be same. Their life was defined by their possessions.
In the end, those individuals that rely on their possessions to define who they are are destined for a shallow empty end to their life. However, those that rely on their friends, family and beliefs to define who they are are destined for a fulfilled life with memories that cannot be taken from them or sold.
When I was just out of high school, I was very materialistic. In fact, my dad commented on several occasions that I was headed for disaster as I tried to lead a lifestyle based on possessions. Ten years later, my life has radically changed. I am not caught up in possessions. Although I do have several nice “toys”, if I woke up tomorrow without them, my life would go on without much noticeable change. As I realize what defines my life, I have become increasingly comfortable with who I am and less alert to other’s impressions of me (especially when those impressions are defined by my possessions).