Eliminate The Unnecessary So That The Necessary Can Speak

We live in an age where many unnecessary wants quietly disguise themselves as necessities. There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all. A teacher realized the need and importance for students to understand what is necessary and what is unnecessary developing early the skills to differentiate.  

In his concluding session he shared a story. “There were two large vases kept outside a house one was the decorative kind intricately carved and studded with stones. Next to it was a solid unpainted clay vase. As summers approached the simple clay was filled multiple times for thirsty passersby. The decorative was admired for its beauty but could not serve the thirsty. It illustrates, true value lies in purpose and utility, rather than superficial desires.

The teacher had noticed students making notes and to judge their extent of learning asked students to bring a note each tomorrow on an unnecessary act they noticed in them.  Next day students carried their note and placed them on the teacher’s table, who segregated repetitive ones and isolated the ones to be mentioned in the class.

The first note… a student’s acceptance, “I am a prisoner of unnecessary things. As a techno freak, I now realize technology assists me in countless ways, but it also tempts me to chase things I do not need. My addiction to several apps has become an obstacle to my growth.

Note 2 “I realize how poorly I was building a relationship with my parents. If I truly understood my parents, many words would become unnecessary. Failing to value what truly matters is my greatest loss.”

Note 3 “Our discussions yesterday made me review I was filling my time with unnecessary things instead of valuing it. I will reduce imagined obligations, needless activities and distractions, and learn the maturity of disagreeing without prolonging arguments.”  

Looking at note 4 the teacher said I am glad it has been mentioned by many. “Comparison with others has placed limits on my life. I must walk at my own pace because life is a journey and not a race. I need to discover my true self by chipping away everything that is not truly me.”

Note 5 “I spend my pocket money on things I don’t need and later find myself unable to afford what I truly need.”

Note 6 “My father says unnecessary laws weaken necessary laws. I now understand the same applies to life – unnecessary habits weaken necessary living.”

The last note “my parents often told me being possessive of my things, is not good. Unnecessary possessions become unnecessary responsibilities. Those who have enough, but not too much, often seem the freest.”

The teacher overwhelmed with students’ expression said today you have not merely identified unnecessary things. You have begun identifying unnecessary thoughts, words, comparisons, desires, possession and habits. The day we learn to remove what does not serve our purpose, what truly matters begins to find its voice.”

“Life does not become meaningful by adding more. It becomes meaningful by removing what no longer serves. Eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary can speak.”