In response to Matt’s thoughts about materialism versus spiritualism, a reader remarks that a litmus test for materialism is whether a person would grab a prized possession on the way out of their home if it were burning.

The reader asks Matt what object or objects he would grab.

Matt responds:

That is a very daunting question to me, because it’s like:  Which one of my children am I going to bring with me?

Should I be running out the door or throwing things out the window, hoping they don’t get destroyed?

Then would I be consumed by the fire?

Or, if it was a tornado, would I be winding around like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz?

I live in many different places, especially when we’re traveling.  When I’m in a hotel, I read the things on the door about what to do in a fire.

My feet always hurt, so I guess if the place is burning to the ground, I better take my shoes.  I’m not one to walk on hot coals!  My feet dictate to me where I’m going to go, and they rebel when I go the wrong way.

After that, there would probably not be enough time to start making choices.  I would hope, if there was someone else in the room with me, they would help this old fool out the door...

Or, if I could help somebody, then I would, although I don’t know what the hell they would be doing in my room, unless they were there to tell me about past-due bills.

Then I would have to figure out whether to pay the bills or just run out the door.

As I sit in my living room, pondering this, looking at my cherished possessions, I think about how I like to sit and listen to music and look at all my different things from around the world.  Each one brings up old memories, friends, and past conversations.

It would be difficult for me to grab just one of them, because I would be acknowledging that one was better than something else, when in reality it wouldn’t be.

My best plan, maybe, would be if I knew this was coming, to gather it all up ahead of time and roll over it with a steam roller, or grind it up like cremated remains, and then grab it like Santa Claus and take it out the door.

Then, I’d have to spend the rest of my life working hard to make new memories, and rejuvenate myself and make new friendships.

Like the snake sheds its skin, maybe we ought to shed our most cherished possessions, put them in the closet, lock the door, and start all over again.  Agitate ourselves.

Thanks for the question.  I’m on my way to the bonfire!

Matt