Lighten Your Load
Steve and I just celebrated 10 years in our 8th home – the longest we’ve ever lived in one place during our 27 years of marriage. And since we’re approaching our empty nesting years (and the fact I can be a bit restless and thrive on change) we decided to leave our “traditional” family home and purchase one that is contemporary.
With 10 years of accumulated “stuff” and in preparation for putting our house on the market I decided to “de-clutter” our home, starting last October. After a month of failed attempts or in other words shoving everything into our storage closet and closing the door I decided I needed some help. A friend of mine suggested I call Rachal Jolota who has a business called The Organizing Girls.
Rachal and her business partner, Stacie, showed up the following week – rolled up their sleeves and slowly but surely opened every door and cabinet in our home. It was amazing to sort through my life with these two incredible women – pulling out all of the stored artwork from my children, report cards from my youth, letters…it was wonderful traveling through my life with them. They helped me to re-evaluate what was worth saving and what wasn’t – a daunting task. During the process, I realized an important life lesson – the liberated feeling of traveling light and how grounded you feel when your “ground floor” (basement) is organized.
While the summer was consumed by the move I created a little space in my week to take a class, with my friend Kate, called the “Miracle of Mindfullness.” Ramaa Krishnan (my teacher) based her class on the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh.
The last minute details of our move meant that I continually found myself rushing to get to class on time. I always felt hurried when I arrived but walked away after 90 minutes with a more relaxed attitude toward life. I loved Ramaa’s homework assignments as she asked us questions around observing where our attention is “anchored” or to take time out of each day to practice deep breathing.
With each class I was reminded about the value of living a life with intention versus circumstance. I also noted how often we travel through life with a heavy load as we carry and store judgements, expectations, fears or disappointments. And although I needed someone to help me lighten my physical space, I was reminded how the opportunity to lighten my mental and emotional load is available at any moment and always my choice.
Looking Forward
Rachal will be provide Zen Tips on decluttering your home while Jane shares a simple recipe you can make once and use throughout the month.
Zen Moment
“Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials.”
-Lin Yutang
