I DON'T WANT STUFF...

Traveling light through life!

Psalm 84:10: “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.”

I remember comedian George Carlin’s sketch many years ago, where he talked about people and their STUFF!! His prescient complaint was that so many humans become obsessed and overwhelmed by their possessions, hauling so much around with them, much of it impediments and the weighing down of the soul.

I know the weight of all this. I was a residential Leasing agent for many years in San Francisco in the 1990’s and Oughts and in my early days of Leasing, would tag along with my Brokers on the weekly Broker’s sales tour. Many of the properties we had a brief tour through, were Pacific Heights mansions...stuffed with stuff. To me, as the street smart warrior lady who flew with pennies in her pocket, all that stuff was for display and for lack of a better description, showing off. When I was a Personal Assistant for several years in SF, I knew a very kind wealthy lady who had a “ gift wrapping room” in her spacious condominium home and I actually helped her with gift wrapping…(perish the thought, ME???…the noble barbarian???)

OK...

Nothing wrong with giving gifts...but it still seemed like excess.

I still want to travel light, the weight of all this is toooo much, at least for my temperament. The world is a heavy place and for many of us, it just flattens us.

As a sensitive soul, empath and woman of God and for my own sanity and survival, I talk to God all the time, pouring out my heart and soul, often in a state of distress. If I did not have my daily access to God, I would not live long. With my core temperament, I have spent much of my life in survival mode and holding on by fingertips.

Yes, you can indeed have spirited discussions with Papa God! I was astonished to discover this fact, 8 1/2 yrs ago in Dec. 2017, when I was first called by God to closer Fellowship, to “Relationship” with Him, His Son and Holy Spirit. As I sort of stumbled and bumbled my way toward this, my naturally informal self coined the term “flopping on the couch with Papa”, for the sheer loving Presence of just visiting with Him, sittin’ on the couch, talking in fellowship, sometimes light, too often in a torrent of tears from me (sigh…)

For anyone who has read some of King David’s flat out RANTS in the book of Psalms, you perhaps know what I mean. Some nights with God are joyful...but knowing my raw temperament, some nights are a visceral salty sea. For me, at least, I need to get the negative emotions out and pour out my sorrows. I’m a “half-empty” type, if you did not surmise... Living on the edge for so many decades, you certainly get very aware and exceedingly street smart of the machinations of the world, in defense mode 24/7.

I have some ongoing and very interesting discussions with God. Still too often, the theme of my line continues along the “ Papa, I can’t do this!!” or “ I dont want STUFF!” As a naturally contentious type (just like my Dad…), I find the need is strong to get the gnarly out, so I feel clear and not hiding. Remember, I’m a barn coat girl, not a fluffy frilly. Blunt, yes? Not dark, just blunt!

I mean, God knows every hair on our head anyway, no reason to go hiding junk, yes? I tell Him all my troubles (more than one.)

Based on my observation of human beings, there is an exhaustion rumbling all over the world in 2026 ...the sheer weariness of being OVERSOLD to. I experience that the relentless selling is backfiring and brewing in a big way. While I am not a minimalist in my living space, WHEN are there enough possessions? Who truly cares about all your stuff?? I also notice MUCH more SPAM, “unsolicited commercial email” that is simply awful and sometimes obscene. YUCK. I use the block button a lot on this junk. I sometimes cannot comprehend the darkness of the human mind… that someone thinks I I would want to buy this awful stuff??

The art of selling lives large everywhere...from “free “ seminars to home business to creative endeavors. I certainly do understand the need for business to honorably present a product or service. Information, definitely. Opportunity, definitely! Simple and honorable offers, yes!

There also lies a very narrow line, which crosses over into pressure, manipulation and machination. The stern need for common sense has never been more stark.

You know where I get STUCK?? I get stuck from being shoved and pushed on and shoved and pushed on and shoved and pushed on.

Presenting a product or service is fine...just turn down the temperature of the selling! You actually do not need “red hot” in order to sell. As two of my favorite Substacks here speak of regularly (BadRedhead Media and Unstack Substack), marketing is first of all helping readers of your work to “get to know you” and gain a bit of trust along the way. Yes, it does not happen quickly, but as I say, “plant the seeds and water them with your tears”. While I myself have no formal “marketing” program for my own writing, I do daily engage with readers and fellow writers on Notes and it seems to smooth the road to some degree. NO hard selling from me!!! I am mostly an introvert, with short hops of extroversion. I never pressure anyone. I inform and gently present.

I still remember “free seminars” in San Francisco, usually in a hotel ballroom, often selling real estate capers (sometimes referred to as “get rich quick” events). After a handful of these, I quit bringing a credit card or funds of any kind along...because the HARD SELL at the end of these became a flaming bag of dog-doo...huge pressure to BUY what you could not afford and rude condemnation if you did not comply. I finally quit going to these!

It is particularly an American thing, this peculiar testament to money-money-money. Money can be good or bad...but obsession is not so good.

Stuff, I may remind you, is HEAVY and weighs you down.

If I suddenly had millions of dollars, the last thing I would pursue is conspicuous consumption, a luxury house, a luxury car, luxury clothing ( where would I wear them???). I would care for myself a little bit better... I would donate more to a handful of Christian ministries and I would absolutely and anonymously sow into the lives of a few of what Holy Spirit calls “ the honorable Christian poor”. Since I have lived as one, I know well the experience and the sorrow…

I travel light, albeit still on the financial edge and mostly threadbare…but I still don’t want STUFF! I am not drunk, stoned or in debt. YAY!!

Heck, when I was 27 and moved to San Francisco in the summer of 1979 with a handful of friends, I had two suitcases, one battered old stereo, a box of vinyl records, a few paperback books, $200 in my pocket and no job. Starting simple for many of us is the way. Friends became more friends and even if many did not last, the help and the fellowship was there and places to live, short hops of jobs and playing it by ear and sheer instinct roamed the streets daily. I lived that way for many years, in youth, of course, but also in survival mode.

That is one thing about traveling light, you have to be resourceful and observant and have radar on 24/7. When you add PRAYER to that primal mix...it can be a holy and unstoppable thing. I have a roof over my head, I have food to eat daily, I have quiet and privacy and solitude, I have clothes to wear, I have a humble and faithful car to drive and my name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life! As close as I live to the edge, I look over... and there is Papa God sitting next to me on the edge, holding out His hand toward me with the kindest smile. NO “Stuff” can measure up to this!

I have no U-haul reserved for me when God calls me Home...I travel light!

Wendy Elizabeth Williams Friday, June 12, 2026

Consider becoming a paid subscriber at $5.00 a month. The yearly cost is $60, if you prefer that way...but I actually prefer the $5 a month, if possible, so there is no snagging if you decide you have to step down from a paid subscription. Less confusing and less costly for me. You can subscribe easily on my Substack page and if you find you can no longer be a paid subscriber, you can do so via Substack itself or contact me via a direct message on Substack Notes and I will help you. I know financial things can be gnarly for many of us in general and I take not a penny for granted! No pressure on you!

--Consider donating any amount from $1 and up on my Ko-fi page at Ko-fi.com/wendyelizabethwilliams. You can donate one time, periodically or monthly, as you see fit. I am also enjoying writing a shorter weekly piece on my Ko-fi page, focusing mainly on my lifelong love of fabric, garments, beauty and the centuries- long battles between men and women. After I get my weekly Substack longer piece up on Friday nights, I also place my shorter Ko-fi piece up also on Notes. Tonight’s short piece on Ko-fi continues my ongoing theme about garments and the power of clothing to help or harm. “My favorite garments: the protective power of coats and jackets.” Since I speak often about the vulgarity of revealing clothing, my love for coats and jackets is particularly strong, as I feel literally “protected” by a coat or jacket, wrapped around me in shelter and comfort. True, this!

--Please pray for me! Thank you, Wendy