Everyone likes to look good. I’m a firm believer in setting your own style and rocking it the way you see fit. So good is relative.

A few years ago, I had one of those days where I had put in little effort into my work outfit for the day. Yet, each piece complimented the other well and I looked smashing. I must have blown some kisses at my reflection in the mirror as I admired myself. My shoes had medium heels to accentuate the look, giving me the extra “oomph”.

I was certain that I was going to turn heads and was prepared for the compliments. With a smile on my face, I headed off to work carrying my handbag and bin. The bin chute was located just outside the entrance door on each floor of the block of flats I lived in at the time.

As I boarded the train, I observe that I drew attention from both male and female commuters. I smiled inwardly, confident in the look of the day. From the corner of my eyes, I caught a glimpse of a couple of people moving away from me. I took no notice of them as the train was slightly crowded. Its quite normal for people to move about on the train to get a more comfortable spot.

About 10 mins into my journey, I realised that I had an object in my hand. I hadn’t prepared any packed lunch, so the only item that should have been in it was my handbag . I looked down at my hands and was astonished to find my bin. It was a 10 seconds walk from my door to the bin chute but I had managed to walk past it and carried on to work. The bin was a small carrier bag, and the content was a cocktail of different aromas which didn’t produce the best smell. Now I understood the reason behind the stares and why people stepped away from me.

I had a long way to travel before finally arriving at work and there were no bins in sight. I was left with no choice but to carry the bin with me on 3 train changes. I found a way to disguise the smell, wrapped up the bin bag and kept it out of sight until I found a bin several miles away. I have played the event  of that day in my head several times over the years. It’s interesting how one action changed the scope of things. Since then, I have learnt to always check the contents of my hand when I leave the house.

In our life journey, there are bound to be garbage along the way. Situations or experiences that we tend to hold on to, not realising that it’s garbage. Just as we dispose of domestic garbage and bin, we should also dispose of life’s garbage. Interestingly, life’s garbage is unique to each individual as our experiences in life are different. It may not be easily identifiable even though it’s actually holding you back. Garbage left unattended breeds flies, rodents and other unattractive things that spread germs and make the environment unattractive. Never assume that all stares are of admiration. Regularly take time to re-examine or self-appraise yourself. Discern the things that you are holding on to that are not worth holding on to and Get Rid of Them! It’ll make your life journey more pleasurable and attractive.

God Bless.

Dead flies can spoil a good perfume. In the same way, all wisdom and honour in the world cannot outweigh a moment’s folly. Ecclesiastes 10 vs 1 (The Voice)

So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of life – James 1 vs 21 (MSG)

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