I’m beginning to practice minimalist packing for traveling. In this era of airlines charging fees for checking baggage, people respond by carrying on more and more luggage. Overhead bins fill. Even though I have “status” and early boarding rights (and can check for free), it’s still a hassle.
Tuesday and Wednesday I was in St. Louis. Everything I needed I took in my backpack. Razor, toothbrush, hair brush, a little bag of toiletries, a little bag of connectors for my electronics, a couple of books, laptop, iPad, change of shirts and underwear.
I always pack running and workout gear and then seldom use them on trips. I need to do my normal work packed in to a couple of hours early in the morning before heading out to breakfast meetings and then meetings. Then dinner. So, I left them behind. No sense packing extra clothes I’ll not wear.
The ethical behavior I was just reading about is non-possessiveness. Do you carry more baggage than you need?
Jesus talked about this several times–storing up treasures in heaven, not on earth. We get tied to our material possessions.
You can take the baggage metaphor a number of ways. Sometimes we possess old hurts and longings that we actually are tied to. We perhaps like that victim feeling.
What is essential for your journey through life? What can you really do without? Getting rid of the need for possessions can be freeing.
It’s not that I don’t have possessions. They are not bad. The question is rather am I tied to them. Is my self worth wrapped up in having a certain car, house, painting, shoes, whatever?
Pack light for the journey. Carrying too many possessions is like a boat anchor dragging you down.
Faith Venture 
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