SAVER

SAVER.
My daughter Anne, and I, had lunch last week at the Fresh Choice restaurant, here in Fairfield. This is my favorite restaurant, even though a connoisseur might say that my French- taste buds have been diluted. They are probably right.
After we had finished eating, our conversation, somehow, switched to compulsive “savers”. I think that I used to be in this category. But, after downsizing twice in the past 24 years I am much less compulsive. I do admit to having trouble parting with possessions. I like to think that this trait is due to my “Great Depression” familial training. Our discussion reminded Anne of an essay in the May 2008 “Bits & Pieces”. She paraphrased it. I told her it was very interesting. So, she sent me a copy of the booklet.
I would like to share the piece. Bits & Pieces attributed their source to an adaptation from the Heart’n Souls web site.
KNOWING WHEN TO LET GO
The king was having a Grand Ball that evening to which he invited every person in the kingdom. He asked that everyone in attendance be dressed in formal attire.
More than anything, young Julius wanted to go. But, he was poor and hadn’t the means to acquire the appropriate clothing. He stood at the gate of the palace late that afternoon, imagining what it might be like to be on the other side.
“Why the long face son?”
Julius snapped out of his pensiveness. “What?”
“Why the long face? You should be home getting dressed for my ball. I’m on my way in myself to get ready.”
Julius couldn’t believe it! It was the king himself, speaking directly to a commoner. Julius explained his plight.
“Why that’s no problem at all”, assured the king. Then he summoned the prince to join them and instructed his son to find some suitable garments for their guest to wear at the party.
The prince escorted Julius to a royal dressing room where Julius was allowed to help himself and choose an outfit to wear and keep.
“I think you will be very happy with these new garments”, the prince said. “They are made of the finest threads and will not wear out quickly like your other clothes.”
“Thank you kindly, sir, said Julius, as he reached for his old clothes piled on the floor.
“Leave those,” the prince said. “They are of no use to you now.”
“But what if something happens to my new garments?” Julius asked.
“Then you can come to me again and I will give you something else to wear.”
Julius thought about this for a moment. “No, I may need these some day.”
“As you wish my good fellow,” the prince responded. “Come! The ball has just begun. Please go and enjoy every minute of it.”
Julius carried his old clothes with him throughout the party. And because he refused to part with this bundle, he was unable to dance or participate in many of the evening’s activities. When the servants came around with platters of food and drink, Julius could sample only a few delicacies, because he had only one free hand - the other was always holding on to the bundle of rags.
When the evening came to a close, the people left the palace filled with awe for all they’d seen and done. But, poor Julius couldn’t join in any of these reflections because he’d spent most of his time clutching his tattered old clothes.
How much had he failed to experience because he could not let go of what he no longer needed?
Note: - Even though I know better, I still have some “Julius” in me!
=====================================
Change: Change really becomes a necessity when you try not to do it.
Anne Wilson Schaef
Psychotherapist and writer.
RCL - 4/20/10.
.