NEW YEAR

NEW PLAN OF ATTACK

I am the queen of clutter. There, I’ve said it, and they say admitting it is the first step in recovery. I am a person with many interests, and hobbies. I love reading, singing, photography, crafting, quilting, crocheting, and the list goes on and on. I love my children and my grandchildren, and everything they give me or make for me is precious to me. How can I give away or throw away something that precious? What compounds this felony is that my husband is as bad as I am in this matter. I think he has every coloring page that any one of our 21 grandchildren, or six children have colored for him. My house is groaning under the weight of memorabilia. To put one more nail in this coffin, is I think that I am going to lose weight and fit back into all my skinny clothes which I have kept.

Is there a 12 step program that I can implement in my life, to combat this ongoing addiction of mine? Will I end up being on the television program ‘hoarders’, buried alive in memories, memorabilia, and clothes that don’t fit. What is the cause of these unrealistic reasons to keep things that I think may someday be useful to someone? Do I think my children or grandchildren won’t believe I love them if I throw away, or re-gift things I have received from them? Practical sense tells me if I got rid of all this stuff now, people could use it now, instead of later. It sounds very reasonable, so why do I have a hard time letting go?

It is also proven that clutter is depressing. This adds to the conundrum, of how do we dig our way out, of the years of accumulation that has buried us? How many of us own a storage unit to help us organize our overflow? Why is purging or downsizing so hard?

Recently a friend of mine bought a new house and moved. After living in the same place 20 years she found it imperative that she purge unused things to make the move easier. She then organized when she unpacked in the new house, making sure everything had a proper place of its own. Just like the quote from Ben Franklin; “a place for everything and everything in its place”. I envy her the opportunity or should I say the necessity, of having to de-clutter.

So what can I do to motivate myself to overcome this obvious problem?  Baby steps! That’s right baby steps! Don’t be afraid to ask for help.  Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Zero in on one area only, and do what you can to organize and purge that one place. By the time you accomplish something you’ll be inspired and encouraged to move on to the next thing. You must be realistic in your expectations, and remember the things donated by you will be going to a good cause.  I also begin my projects searching the Scriptures for encouragement and praying for guidance and perseverance.

As parents many of us try to teach the children, do as I say, not as I do. If we’re honest with one another this is one of the truest forms of hypocrisy that there is. The best way for us to teach our children is by example, and that includes our grandchildren. I know this is one area of my life that I could improve on, thus improving the lives of my children and grandchildren.

We as writers can use our experiences to write stories about the gratification of giving to others. There are ways through our writings, to instill in others to live a clutter free life. The power of suggestion is a great tool especially when we’re helping others avoid our own pitfalls.

 In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

Psalms 86:7

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Psalm 73:26

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Galatians 6:9

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33