Wednesday, April 29, 2009

THE ATTIC IS CLEAN, THE HEART IS LIGHT

Today was the day that I finally ventured into the attic above the garage where we park our three cars. This project had been looming in the back of my mind since January 2009. After driving through our community and seeing garage sale signs everywhere and then talking to my walking buddy, Kathy, this afternoon about her plans for a sale this weekend, I knew the time had come.
This attic was filled pretty much to the max and I had not cleaned it from corner to corner in several years. In celebration of our ten year anniversary in this home, I decided about 6 months ago to unclutter every corner, every closet, all spaces would be cleaned and uncluttered. This attic would be my final project. Whooray!
So I headed upstairs with lots of empty boxes and garbage bags. I found boxes of maternity clothes (my "baby" is 17 now), baby items for both genders in every size imaginable, dishes, files from my years of teaching, books and more. A few hours later, I came out with plenty of dust and dirt all over myself, but feeling wonderful! Other than about 1/2 dozen boxes that still need to be sorted and the items I'll place on our front porch for a donation next week, the attic is clear of clutter!
There will be lots of trash on the street tomorrow when the garbage truck comes around.

Albert Einstein (1879-1955) was quoted as saying "Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity; From discord find harmony; In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity."

I agree with him! Uncluttering my home these past months has helped to unclutter my mind and my soul. It has truly been therapeutic, cathartic to unclutter our home, our safehaven, our place of refuge. I feel much freer...Jan Denise, an American Columnist, Author and Speaker, says it like this: "I've been getting rid of some clutter-anything that does not serve a positive purpose in my life-and making room for things that feel happy to me. Because I get to make my life whatever I want it to be. I get to make the room feel however I want it to feel. I get to make the closet as full or as spacious as I want it. And, if I have more clutter to get rid of after Christmas, I'm not going to wait a year, or two or three to do it."
After all, this life is not a dress rehearsal and we only get one chance.

What do you need to free your mind, home or heart from today?