Decluttering

Crocuses are blooming and daffodils are pushing up through the warming earth of our garden.  Spring is just around the corner and with the increased light and warmth our horizons are expanding as we start to move outside more.  It is time for spring cleaning after a winter spent inside.

This spring I want to begin to declutter my life.  A friend of mine has recently taken a decluttering course.  She has encouraged me and given me some pointers about how to begin with my home.  One of the keys is to set apart a significant chunk of time and then start with one room at a time.  Stay in that one room until the task is complete.  If it is a bedroom, make the bed and place all unwanted items on the bed, or just outside the door. Sort and deal with the items later, but begin with removing them.  Already in my heart I am starting to get mentally ready for the great declutter, considering what is important and what is not.  I am looking forward to wide open spaces of clear.

I have already begun my life decluttering in these last months.  For me, it was important to start decluttering my mind and heart.  I have carefully been considering what is really important to me.  St. Francis has again been an inspiration in this whole area.  He left his life of lavish luxury for a simplicity and devotion to God.  His was a complete declutter of all that was not focussed on loving God and others as oneself.   While each person's journey is unique, I am thankful that these days it does feel that my heart is more open and clear and focussed.  Many of my previous worries and concerns have been pushed out to the fringes of my life and  I am thankful  for more wide open spaces in my heart and mind.  Just like unwanted things are to be removed and not brought back into the openness of the rooms in our homes, so we are to leave the unwanted emotional baggage out of our hearts.  Once reviewed and integrated into our beings, much of our past baggage really can be thrown into the sea under a "no fishing" sign!  Christ came to bring us hope for new beginnings and life uncluttered by mistakes in the past.

I have lots of interests that bring books and stuff into my life.  I sometimes think that my kids would not have become artists and wide ranging thinkers without some of the "stuff"  that was so accessible to them.  Some of these things I will keep.  Still, lots can go.

For my heart, more open spaces beckon too!  In the still quietness I am being careful to keep my communication and love for God, others and my own self open and clear.

I send love and encouragement to others in these spring decluttering days of both homes and hearts!