Three more days until I leave for the monastery! On Sunday, August 11, my father will drive me down to St Benedict's Abbey and leave me there! I'm excited and nervous at the same time. This has been--and will continue to be--quite a transition!
The first part of it was moving everything to my home that I share with my father. I spent much of these last three weeks unpacking, sorting, throwing away things, recycling other things, destroying sensitive paperwork, packing again, and so on. It was a monumental and overwhelming task! But I must confess that it has gone quite well. I learned that instead of being overwhelmed from the get-go, if I just do a little bit every day, I will get a lot done over time. It is like reading a book, even 10 pages per day, or going through a bottle of Metamucil (yes, you do that at my age), that over a period of time, you finish the task. There is a book and movement based on that very principle, The Slight Edge Principle. Not that I am an advocate of the marketing of that book and accompanying products, but the basic idea really works. These last three weeks are proof of it. I feel good, looking at what I've accomplished, knowing that I can pack everything in the back of a mini-van or SUV and go somewhere.
One of the hardest parts of detachments is not having the willingness to get rid of things but an easy way to get rid of things. Recycle bins, friends willing to take your discarded items, a good friend willing to burn bags of papers that you should shred, etc. Having a dumpster to discard items isn't a good idea anymore, since some of the items one may have may be too sensitive and can end up in the hands of identity thieves. This caused me to reflect on the world we live in, and how harder it is to detach today than even, say, ten years ago.
And the good Lord helps. My wonderful car got a head gasket problem, a very expensive repair. So the good people at Car Time in Northfield, MN offered to buy it from me and pay me the difference. Now there's a quick and easy way to get rid of a car! Yet parting can be such sweet sorrow, with the emphasis on sorrow!
The second part of such a monumental task of detachment is canceling credit cards, accounts, transferring finances to a family member, etc. This is a mind-numbing and difficult activity that I would rather procrastinate on. But I am doing it, bit by bit, following my to-do lists. The hardest part was canceling my cell phone. I have had that number for 11 years, and as I mentioned in previous posts (or bulletin articles), I love my iPhone. So as of Sunday, I won't use it, and as of the 25th of this month, it will be deactivated. Of course, I must part with a fee, because my two year contract isn't finished yet! Oh well, what do I have use for money anyway?
I will try to post messages on my blog at times and also on my facebook page. Thanks to all my friends who have lifted me up in so many ways! Write, email, or call me sometime!
Fr Jay
