Homeless, Carless and Guitarless is the title of Ash’s latest blog post. She is winding down from her travels in New Zealand and purging of everything she has accumulated over the past 11 months (that doesn’t fit into her backpack).

Reminds me of a story David Weale read on CBC Radio yesterday. His story was about wrapping and unwrapping and how the symbolism of this Christmas tradition might be reflected in our inner lives. And when I think of Ash having to get rid of things she doesn’t need, or that don’t fit in her bag, I think of my most repeated New Year’s resolution – purging, letting go of something, the riddance of burdens, and of course, the fitting classics of losing weight and quitting smoking.

One of my favourite movies of all time, The Mission, has remained, for me, the most poignant of this paradigm. The visual of Mendoza climbing over craggy rocks and steep cliffs, all the while carrying the load of his possessions. Possessions that weigh him down and put his life in danger. He finally cuts the rope and the bags fall away. But the decision was not easy.

My challenge to myself this new year is to identify and cut away the burdens. First of the firsts, and most literally, is to ease up on the lunches and convert that time of the day to the squash courts and gym. What ever it takes to be healthier, on all fronts, will be my focus.

Here’s to less burden and good health!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!