Holy Messy Basement Superman! Pamela needs to read “Packing Light” by Allison Vesterfelt!

I overheard Batman and Superman talking this morning as I went in the basement to let out  Martha, the dog.

“Holy Messy Basement Superman! Pamela needs to read Packing Light by Allison Vesterfelt.”

“Batman, I think she already read the book! I think she needs help. This is a job for SUPERMAN!”

I let out Martha, and then went over and had a talk with Batman and Superman.

“Good morning Batman, Hey Superman. I’m sorry the basement is such a mess.”

“Would you please clean it up. We want to play ping-pong,”  Batman said.

“I want to clean up the mess Batman, but I find it hard to get rid of things.”

Batman and Superman have  faithfully protected my home for six years, and this is the first time I  heard them complain.  They came to live with us when my husband’s company moved to a new office building with better security, and they were no longer needed.

Batman and Superman know I read Packing Light by Allison Verterfelt because I talk about the book all of the time while I try to sort through boxes in the basement.

Allison said this, Allison said that. Allison said, “Your life is waiting. But your arms are full of stuff.” Allison said, “We are all carrying baggage — things we picked up at home, past experiences, expectations for what’s ahead.” Allison said, “The more stuff you bring with you, the more complicated everything gets.”

And right now my life is complicated.

Allison talks about living life with less baggage in her book, Packing Light. Allison, had a graduate degree, a job, and an apartment full of stuff. But something was missing. She sold almost everything and travelled to all 50 States with her friend.

She realized you can’t take everything with you, and what you bring with you matters. She writes about her experiences and her feelings. She writes her own story and encourages us to write ours.

I thought reading Allison’s  book would help me clean out my basement. But now I realize packing light is not just about the boxes in my basement, but the feelings of despair I pack from my past.

I don’t just have to let go of some of my possessions, I need to let go of the hurt I have carried for years.

Allison sent me a free copy of her book in exchange for an honest review. It took me four months to write the review because I didn’t want to deal with the mess in my basement and in my mind. Allison’s book is Allison’s story, but when I read it I felt challenged to think about my own life and what I was packing in my suitcases.

What are you packing? What do you need to leave behind? Please tell me in the comments. I would love to chat with you.

I will be giving away my copy of the book, Packing Light,  in a random drawing on January 1st, 2014. Please comment and share this story on facebook or twitter. Tell your mother or your neighbor. 

The Random Number Generator picked #1, Kathleen Caron. I hope this book helps Kathleen leave behind feelings of not being good enough. God made her and he did a great job.

Thank you to everyone who commented and shared the story.