The world of Tzu Chi December 2020(Vol.129)

advocate to “refuse”. The essence is to “buy less, choose well and make it last”. On the other hand, proper handling of unwanted items can reduce wastage and our guilty conscience. There are many organizations collecting recyclables and reusable items, including collecting and distributing second-hand clothing to those who need them. Kai En said smilingly, “Personally, I look forward to the sharing economy 1 becoming a common consumption model. For example, sharing of second-hand items, renting of goods and so on. This will not only reduce wastage of Earth’s resources, but also promote connections between people. This is similar to the good old days where people could borrow things from neighbours.” There is an inseparable relationship between human and goods. We cannot live without goods. However, we must be cautious so that we do not become slaves of goods. They are used to support our lives, not add to our burdens. We should ensure that they serve their purposes while they are still in good working conditions. Each time when we declutter our belongings, we are having a conversation between our hearts and our belongings. The process of decision making, of whether to keep or let go of a belonging, is like peeling an onion. As we peel it layer by layer, we understand more clearly what we need and the ideal life that we anticipate. Many people are making use of the time at home during the conditional movement control order (CMCO) period to tidy up their homes, re-decorate or even re-organize the living space, to accommodate the needs of current situation of working or studying from home. As the new year approaches, it is perhaps a good time for us to reorganize our space and lives! 1 The sharing economy is a socio-economic system built around the sharing of manpower and resources. It includes the shared creation, production, distribution, trade and consumption of goods and services by different people and organizations. Commonly seen examples are car-pooling, bike-sharing, battery charging and accommodation sharing services. TZU CHI 129 13 Decluttering–The Art of Living