Do you know why I haven’t moved from my property since 1947? I can’t part with my stuff, that’s why. The article in the WS Herald about the woman who helps you downsize is right down my alley. But I don’t know if I could ever allow a stranger into my domain or relax while my special collections were being rated as superfluous. Actually my problem is not the usual hoarding problem. I am compartmentalized. The living room is usually perfect. The entrance to my home must be pleasant and welcoming and it is usually acceptable. Now, on the other hand, my office is all aclutter but don’t ever try and clean it up because I know where everything in the clutter can be found.

The reason I am writing about all this is the appearance of the strange popup box appearing on my computer desktop without my permission. For a control freak like I am, that is anathema. (I just learned this great new word. You might want to look it up and use it too.) There is nothing like the helpless feeling of a so-called inanimate object controlling one’s life. Well, actually my computer is far from inanimate. It has a need to frustrate me into a tantrum.

All the time I have been fuming about my computer that is not really controllable I had planned to write about advice we parents give to our children. After reading that article about downsizing I sorted a whole file drawer and came up with a four page copy of a letter I wrote to my oldest son many years ago. I put a note on the side saying that I would like his comments because I intended to write it into a column someday. Now here I am years later actually using it in my column. Read on and see what you think. Here are some of my words of worldly advice:

Listen to your inner voice and listen to the voice of the greater society.
Blend these two and create a life that is fair to self and to those around you.
Be willing to say yes to life.
Have the courage to say no to those who are not positive and supportive.
Maintain a balance between excitement and contemplative involvement.
Enjoy the silliness and joy of the naïve as well as the intellect of the sage.
Stand apart from any crowd which seeks to lose itself in dissipation.
Hold your body and spirit sacred, sharing them wisely.
Blame no one for your own poor choices.
Look within to discover your spirit and to find your appropriate path.
Look to others to share in mutual striving and support.

I looked at the pages that I had written so many years ago and am astounded that this all came out of me. We think we remember our lives but when we come across pages of contemplation and deep feeling written so long ago it is enlightening to say the least. I asked myself if I had taken my own advice. There were periods in my life when I faltered in maintaining a balance between self and others. I remember times when I rankled about the imperfections in the world about me and was determined to change it all by myself.

Now I realize that the wisdom that comes to each of us who has lived long enough to achieve it must be shared. I urge you to share your wisdom with the younger people around you. If you don’t have younger family members nearby, adopt some younger people to mentor. You can form a mutual admiration society.

Georgie Bright Kunkel is a freelance writer who can be reached at gnkunkel@comcast.net or 206-935-8663.