It was very exciting to run across this article about Slash in a ‘mental health’ article. Too funny. But good, concise message….
Mental Health Month: Lessons From Slash
By Alicia Sparks
Last week we looked at Catherine Zeta-Jones, and for this week’s “Mental Health Month: Lessons From…” we’re looking at legendary rock guitarist Slash.
On March 26, 2011, Slash auctioned off what’s been described as an “extensive collection” of his personal belongings – everything from clothing and guitars to furniture and vehicles – and used the proceeds to help raise money for the Los Angeles Youth Network, an organization that takes in wayward youths.
A hefty helping hand it must have been, too, considering his Corvette Stingray and the guitar he played during his last Super Bowl performance alone brought in over $200,000.
So what’s the lesson?
Learn to let go.
Whether the baggage is physical or emotional, letting go can benefit both you and others.
In Slash’s case, he possessed hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of things. Sure, they were all meaningful to him in one way or another, but they were just things – things that were serving him no purpose by just taking up space.
[...] we moved into a new house and we had all this stuff in storage. And we’re like, ‘This doesn’t get used, so an auction would be really, really cool. Let’s give it away to charity and just let some of this stuff go.’ It was definitely an exercise in tearing yourself away from things. (Spinner)
This Mental Health Month, see if you can learn to let go. Maybe you have lots of things just lying around (or worse, in storage) that no longer serve a purpose. Could you hold a yard sale, or sell them on eBay, and donate the money to charity? Could you donate them directly to Goodwill, The Salvation Army, or another local charity in your area?
Maybe it’s emotional baggage you need to let go. Is this the month you make an appointment with a therapist, join an online support group, or just sit down with a good friend and a cup of coffee and learn to let go of the grudges, hurt, and disappointment that’s serving you no purpose?
