Living on the Light Side

As an expat living light becomes a necessity and an art.  You have roots and wings all at the same time.  Roots that keep you anchored and connected with your home there and your home here.  Then wings that allow you to lift up and move to the next place of assignment.  Remembering that you have wings for flying, is a safeguard from becoming enmeshed in the place you are and being unable to lift up and fly forward.


There is an art to this type of living.  I do not feel like I am an expert at this yet, and at the same time, I draw from the experience of others and the experiences I have had so far.

So some have asked..."How do you do it?"...meaning...how does someone unload their belongings to the degree necessary to make such a drastic move to live in another nation?  Especially after living life and accumulating so many things for so many years in your home nation.  Well, I thought I would share a few nuggets along this line...Learning to Live on the Light Side.  AND remember...you may never leave your home nation and at the same time Living on the Light Side can be a freeing experience.

As I dive into this list of nuggets I think of one of my favorite movies, The National Treasure.  For me, it offers a great metaphor for insight into the idea of a change of vision that is needed to move into this life of "Living on the Light Side".  Take a look... (click on "READ MORE")

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The glasses from the movie "The National Treasure"

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As the lenses on the glasses were changed the view
was changed. With the changed view, a clue to a hidden treasure was revealed...something not seen before.

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First: Getting your heart and mind ready...
Nugget 1:  Be open to a paradigm shift regarding your life purpose and what defines your happiness.
Nugget 2:  Look at life from a "big picture" view by looking beyond yourself & the typical ideal that having more is better.

Once the View is adjusted and the heart prepared for the changes...here are some nuggets of strategy...

Nugget 3: Imagine the benefits of living life lighter by not having as much stuff; having things more organized; & being able to live bigger with less things.
Nugget 4:  Set a goal you want to accomplish from this
change.  (i.e. Create more time to volunteer, travel, etc)
Nugget 5:  Create a "mantra" for the process
                  (i.e. I will live bigger with less)
Nugget 6:  Develop a system of digging into your stuff and starting to sort it. (Ideas: http://www.flylady.net/)
Nugget 7:  Create Sorting categories such as:
(1)  Things with purpose to keep (you will use these)
(2)  Things with significant memories to keep 
       (be careful to define this narrowly vs broadly)
(3)  Things to gift to special people
(4)  Things to donate  (Your blessing can bless others)
(5)  Things to sale  (Have a specific purpose for the
       money from the sale...a special vacation; giving to
       a charity; something with meaning for you)
(6)  Things to throw away
Nugget 8:  Have a Buddy.  Don't walk this journey alone.

Just for Fun!  Remember...Enjoy the Journey!