In the 1970's long before Google was a household word, I had a file cabinet! In it was stashed away every possible article, and idea that I might possibly use well into the next millennium. Some articles were utilized a time or two but likely 90% were simply used as an exercise in logical organization for my benefit only.
A few folders contained sentimental memories, letters, very elementary visual aids used in lessons and a few photographs and postcards.
But the biggest stash were Readers Digest articles which were evidently my main reading material! In fact the family I grew up in were great fans of Readers Digest articles and humor and we in turn subscribed for years. Steve hauled out 6 full boxes this size. Condensed Readers Digest books were given away long ago.
During the past 45 years, the cabinet and contents have been moved at least three times, survived a fire, collected dust, and somehow managed to stay organized. This weekend, however, I had to say "Goodby!" In a Herculean effort to declutter my life and home, I purged its contents. Sadly my metal friend, you've been replaced by Google, and multiple other search engines.
Though my desk belies it, I've always liked knowing where things are and have a need to find them quickly, hence the filing system. I used a prepackaged organizing plan specifically designed for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was the backbone for filing thousands of interesting articles (both secular and religious) in numbered and labeled folders, which filled four large drawers. There were easily at least 2500 topic headings available and it was easy to use, and find things, once filed.Just as kids say the darndest things, I had filed the darndest things: tests and notes from my World Religions class from 1961 with probably the only good grade I got therein. You never know when you might need a refresher on Zoroastrianism, Shinto, or Buddhism!
I had multiple research papers from high school, visual aids from presentations that took hours to prepare, A floppy disc for installing on programs on an Ace Franklin computer and even a Magnavox Warranty from a phonograph (no less!) bought from ZCMI in 1967. Hey, one never knows when proof might be needed!
In my dusty sooty investigation through the folders, there were a few treasures uncovered: a letter to President Nixon from my politically pro-active father; a letter and two postcards from my youngest brother, now deceased sent while serving his mission in Germany; a cassette tape from my mother's funeral, and several scripts from a variety of non-descript roadshows, and programs that I probably had fun writing long ago.
One of the more humorous articles was a push for teachers to use 16 mm projectors in the classroom! I remember doing that and having Jr. High AV students bring the projector in and teaching me how to use it. Actually, when it comes to technology, I've had LOTS of students give me great tutorials, and provide trouble shooting help. Therein lies the validation (or not) of the whole filing effort. Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever imagined that technology would tiptoe into my life so unassumingly, and then decade by decade increase with such giant strides that I was daily using all kinds of current applications and search engines.
Was the work of analyzing, and organizing the items worth the time? Maybe not. So was it then simply an exercise in futility? Not really, for when I was desperate for some quick instruction, or a spur of the moment lesson I was asked to give, those files were a great help.
BUT, the bigger question is, "Were there more important things I could have been doing, instead of filing articles?" From outward appearances, organizing thousands of articles and filling four drawers full of items, would get a thumbs down, but as I took time to read some of the things I had filed, I could see that unitedly there had been a common thread of influence affecting my attitude in life, focusing my efforts, and sometimes even motivated me to try a new skill. From health advice, both mental and physical, game ideas for Cub Scouts, crafts and decorating, and philosophical and personal growth instruction, the articles were extremely beneficial. Reading brings knowledge, and when knowledge is put to use, will bring develop attitude adjustments and skills of all sorts. So in retrospect, I salute the contents of this trusty/rusty old file cabinet.
Beginning in 2007, Our corner has been pretty successful in providing used items to passersby in Blanding. We've had some pretty strange things on our corner, not just from us, but from others in the neighborhood, and by and large everything gets recycled. But I'm not sure in anyone really uses a file cabinet any more. We'll see? (But the 49 year old crib is now gone!) Hooray!! and thanks for the memories!!
