A dozen art galleries adorn the two-mile walk from my home to our studio. Whenever I stroll past a gallery, I often think, Wouldn’t that painting look great in our living room? Wouldn’t this picture frame fit perfectly in our daughter’s bedroom? Wouldn’t those photos complete our dining room?
But then I pause to consider my impulses.
Truth be told, our home is already complete. And the “perfect” bookshelf, couch, or chair won’t make our home more complete.
Our things can add value to our lives: they can augment, enhance, or amplify our experiences. Which means, fine, get that new coffee table if it makes sense. But it simply doesn’t make sense if the reason is completion.
Things don’t complete us. We are already complete.