Relationship Clutter

Sure, there is the usual clutter around the house...stuff we keep, but don't need, don't use, don't value. Then there's the clutter that we have no room for, but is so meaningful and cherished, that we can't imagine never seeing it again. The same goes for relationships. They do bring some unwanted clutter. Sometimes the phone may ring and you really don't want to feel like answering it. And it could be for a number of reasons. You know if you pick up, the next hour will be spent listening to your friend bitching on the phone about how terrible life is. You may pick up and the person on the other end really has nothing to say, so you have to think up stuff to talk about. You answer the phone and hear an oh-too-cheery voice on the other end that just makes your headache that much worse. Then again, there are times when you wish the phone would ring, or you hear a knock at the door. In relationships, there are some things you can do without and a a lot of things that you hold close to your heart and appreciate. It's a give and take - a compromise. What should you throw out and what should you keep? Sometimes you want to make room for the new and sometimes you want to keep around the old stuff because they hold so many memories and know you so well.