In the past, I always had the tendency to over-pack whenever I had to travel. I needed to have an extra formal shirt in case I got invited to a fancy dinner; or an extra jacket in case the weather got cold; or an extra pair of shoes in case I get a chance to go on a hike or a long walk. In the end, I end up lugging two heavy bags and then not using half of what I have packed.
Of late, I have learned to travel light. For, how much can one really get to wear on a week or two of travel? I can always wear a pair of denims or a shirt for another day or two. I can always wash shirts and drawers if I run out of clean ones. I can travel now with just a small bag and I still often end up not using everything I have packed. And I travel better and enjoy the trip more.
And so it is in life. I can choose to over-pack or I can travel light. I can choose to carry the baggage of the past or I can simply delight in the joys and the blessings of the present moment. I can even be totally engrossed by what I want to do in the future or I can just be rapt in the magic and thrill of the today. I can choose to moon over the past or wax poetic about the future; but I would rather live the life for the moment.
Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
Jesus said to his Apostles:
“As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons.
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.
Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts;
no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick.
The laborer deserves his keep.
Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it,
and stay there until you leave.
As you enter a house, wish it peace.
If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it;
if not, let your peace return to you.”
Matthew 10:7–15