Detachment

Detachment is one of my favorite virtues to practice. Just the other day, I deleted a few games from my phone. These games used to fill my time with mindless busyness. Despite how high my levels of play were, I calmly moved them to the trash can on my phone. It felt incredibly freeing and later in the day, I realized just how addicted I was. The first thing I did when I picked up my phone was to go to those games. Practicing detachment like this from time to time is a good exercise; it helps build the strength to let go of other things that might seem hard to do.

I truly believe that when we start unloading all the unnecessary stuff we collect over a lifetime, it becomes much easier and liberating to focus on more important things, like spending time with God. You'll never find yourself saying, "I don't have time for that."

Detachment helps us to focus on God. Just like with my phone games, I would often get a feeling or thought that I should be reading something spiritual instead. But then I'd tell myself, "Later." This is how we so easily offend God—by choosing something utterly unimportant over what truly matters.

By practicing detachment, we shift from worrying about what we have or need to a state of freedom. By letting go of things that consume our time is truly liberating.

Don't get me wrong, it wasn't easy at first, but the more I practice it, the easier it becomes. Notice I said "practice" because it’s an ongoing effort. Our nature often wants to revert to old habits.

We can be overly attached to material things, leading to greed, envy, and pride. I began downsizing my possessions like clothes, shoes, bags, and even excess furniture. I've realized that these items are not essential for true happiness, especially in our relationship with God.

Interestingly, as I was writing this, I overheard a line from an old movie: "When you see a hearse, you don't see a U-Haul attached." It made me laugh because it's so fitting for this discussion.

Is it time for you to simplify your possessions?

Is it time for you to simplify your attachments? It's important to remember that these attachments aren't just about material possessions. They can include food, money, relationships, and even a job that's going nowhere.

For some, simplifying attachments might come easily, while for others, the mere thought can be overwhelming. Just thinking about it could be the first step. And whatever you do, don't rush into it and decide to get rid of something that your spouse or partner wasn't ready to part with. This is a gradual process, but one that's well worth the effort.

Through prayer, we can seek God's guidance and strength to help us let go of our attachments. It's about making thoughtful choices and recognizing what truly matters.

Practicing detachment has been a truly liberating experience for me. It's not just about letting go of material possessions; it's about freeing myself from anything that holds me back—whether it's unnecessary belongings, habits, or even relationships and jobs that no longer serve a positive purpose in my life. I found that as I gradually began to downsize and simplify, it became easier to focus on what truly matters, especially my relationship with God. This journey of detachment requires constant effort and prayer, but it opens up space for deeper peace, joy, and spiritual growth. It's a personal journey that, despite its challenges, brings immense freedom and clarity.

Spiritual Meditation 
Spiritual Exercises
Spiritual Journaling
Pray the Rosary
Visit the Stations of the Cross