Headphones

I opened the drawer and there they were.  I knew they were in there, I just had been putting off dealing with them until I had to.  Headphones. It was decision time for me and them.

Sounds odd to write a blog about headphones especially since it’s been quite some time since I posted anything.  I mean who even uses headphones anymore?  Everyone has some sort of Bluetooth ear mabobs (yes, that’s a word) or wireless speaker these days.

Well, in all honesty these particular headphones were for work.  It’s not like I was at the gym with these ginormous (also a real word) USB headphones on.  But man did they do the job (no pun intended) for work.   Hours and hours of conference calls, virtual training sessions, virtual meetings, all kinds of uses. 

I had them 2 jobs ago now.  These headphones had journeyed with me through the virtual world of Covid and stayed with me as I moved to a different company a couple of years ago and found myself still in need of their service.   Thus, we arrive at decision day.  I was fortunate enough to have another job opportunity recently and was doing the necessary desk clean out when I realized I had to deal with them.

So, just take them with you for crying out loud!  I hear you all yelling as you read this.  Sounds simple except for an important point.  The headphones didn’t work anymore.  You see one fateful day a few months back I accidentally rolled over the metal USB connection with my office chair.  A workplace injury you might say. I tried in vain to bend them back into working state but no luck.  So I threw them back in my desk drawer and bought a replacement pair.

What gives with the old broken headphones you ask?  Well since I just couldn’t bring myself to toss them into the awaiting trash can I realized that they had become more than just headphones. They were a symbol of my journeys through many work and life events.  My little security blanket.  I also realized it really wasn’t about the headphones since they had already been replaced.  Rather it was what they symbolized and the meaning they held as I reflected on the journey they had taken with me.  I’m guessing you’ve had or have a similar thing.  The symbol far outweighs their use.

I really struggle with letting things go sometimes.  Transparent moment.  Thus, housing broken headphones for months or the boxes of items from high school or college in the attic.  But as I sat there holding the headphones and pondering their fate, I remembered the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:13-14.  He talks about forgetting what’s behind us and moving forward towards the goals that matter – the goal of the Gospel especially.  It’s not bad to remember our experiences and we all have memories we treasure for a lifetime.  But at some point we have a higher calling and the future needs our undivided attention.

I still couldn’t carelessly toss them in the trash.  I brought them home, took a picture of them, and thought for a moment of all the years and events they represented.  I then put them in the recycle bin and hope to sit on the park bench they will one day become. 😊

So next time you may find yourself hanging on to seemingly worthless items, remember that what lies ahead is important and needs your attention. Cherish the moments and like Paul press on to the higher calling!