From Trash to Treasure: The Magic of Finding Value in the Unwanted
Growing up, our parents struggled at times to make ends meet. But their will to ensure both my brother and I had a roof over our heads, a warm meal to eat, and clothing to wear is where we came to learn that someone else’s trash is our treasure.
Our parents would drive around for hours in the neighborhood and gather all that they felt could be easily sold at the flea market. With that act, they were able to provide the necessities needed to survive when their weekly income didn’t provide enough to sustain us.
Decades have passed, and although not out of necessity as it was for our parents, my brother and I still find ourselves pausing at a neighbor’s bulk garbage. If we spot something valuable, we eagerly take it home, feeling a mix of pride and excitement.
While others might see this action as ludicrous, uncalled for, or even disgusting, fearing association with poverty, for both my brother and me, it is a way to connect to our past. I believe it allows us to honor our parents and embrace the true value of money.
I also indulge in yard sales. The act of saving money on items that have been gently used and are still useful brings me joy, knowing that I didn’t pay full price for them, leaving me with more money in my pocket to spend elsewhere.
Furthermore, I decided to explore whether there was something positive about what my brother and I had adopted from our childhood, and behold, I discovered all the good that has come from what was once a necessity in our past.
- Sense of Discovery: There’s an element of adventure and discovery in finding something valuable among discarded items. It’s like a treasure hunt, and the thrill of finding something useful or unique can be very rewarding.
- Creativity and Resourcefulness: Picking up discarded items allows you to exercise creativity and resourcefulness. You might see potential in things others overlook, and transforming these items can be a fulfilling creative outlet.
- Sustainability and Environmental Impact: Even if it’s not a primary motivation, there’s a sense of contributing to sustainability by reusing and repurposing items. It aligns with eco-friendly values and reduces waste.
- Psychological Reward: The act of finding and reclaiming something of value can trigger a dopamine release, giving you a sense of accomplishment and happiness. This positive reinforcement can make the behavior persist over time. Who would have thought there is so much healthy benefit from garbage treasure hunting.
It all makes perfect sense now, it’s not surprising that both my brother and I are incredibly humble and capable of adapting to any lifestyle. Now, I understand the origins of our creative nature.
I am proud and happy knowing that my brother and I share this unique bond and find joy in something that others might overlook.
To my mom and dad, thank you for always providing us our needs and instilling in us the value of perseverance and hard work, no matter how challenging the goal may seem.
To my amazing brother, A.K.A (Dude) let’s continue to pick away and never forget the lessons of survival our parents taught us.
I Love you with all my heart your sister A.K.A(Toti) ❤️
Thank you for reading, always remember 👇Stay grounded, while life happens.
