My 'essentials'

A few years back, a flat I was living in caught fire. I could take very few things out before the flat was enveloped in flames. I thought I had lost everything. Then, as I continued to live my life, I realized how little I missed all the stuff- so it was indeed a lot of trash I had collected. The incident taught me a valuable lesson. We need very few things, but we are accumulators nevertheless! The more we have, the more we want!

So I was thinking about my most essentials possessions. Heres my list-
a) My music collection- in an ipod!
b) Family photographs
c) Key documents- Passport and Certificates from school, college and university
d) Laptop with internet connection
e) Bank ATM card

I think it was Shakespeare in Merchant of Venice who wrote: "The man that hath no music in him is fit for treasons, strategems and spoils." A sweeping statement that succintly captures my abiding love for music. I love soft rock, Hindi film songs and am even beginning to develop a taste for country music courtesy Carrie Underwood! I cannot imagine a life without music and though I do not have a great singing voice myself, I do and will always have an abiding interest in music- it gives me joy and hope and happiness at all times.
Family photographs and key documents are obvious choices. You can't replace them and they remind of where you came from and who you exactly are.
As for the laptop and the internet, I was a late convert to computers. In fact, I hadn't used one till I went to Business School and even then, used it only sparingly to do the key assignments. As I worked in consulting, I realized how powerful the internet can be. I have been able to stay in touch with friends, pen down my thoughts from time to time (like I am doing right now), research about everything and anything I've ever wanted to know- its just made life so much more comfortable.
The last choice shows a practical side of myself. I may not need to the riches of the world but I do need an ATM card that has some money in the Bank to back it up!

As I read over this list, I realized there is really no book there and considering I think I am reasonably voracious reader, that is a surprise. But I also realized that books are not that to carry around everywhere you go. One, they are difficult to carry. Second, if you've read the book, you should remember the key things in your head, otherwise its pointless. Third- if you want to get back or refer to the book, you could always borrow it from the nearest library or order it from amazon. So, theres no need to carry any books around. They're heavy!!

I would like to revisit this list from time to time and hopefully, it wouldn't change too much, but who knows!