One Balanced Life

Last night in my evening group at Blooma, we were chatting about the stuff that clutters up our minds and rooms and drains us of our energy. One of the amazing participants, who comes from a family of 12, shared a strategy her mother used and I just had to pass it along.

Her mother would give each child a box before summer started and all 10 had to clean out their rooms...the stuff on their walls, dressers, all the accumulated toys and junk. Her mother called it "simplifying for summer" and explained that since they would spending all their time outdoors they wouldn't need any of it. As you can imagine by the time fall came around no one missed a thing. A woman ahead of her time who clearly didn't need a library of books on organization to deal with her dozen.

We become so attached to the stuff in our lives and don't realize the space it takes up. I encourage you to take a look at your life, your physical space (the counters, closets, car, etc) and your mental space (your relationships, thought patterns, self-defeating behaviors). What can you pack up this spring. Come fall if you haven't opened the box, let it go. What a great way to simplify!

P.S. Check out this for some great "stuff" about attachment.

After making the executive decision that a 23 minute afternoon nap wasn’t quite enough for my four-month-old little sprout, I accepted that I was going to have to snuggle up next to him and urge him back to sleep. Surprisingly it worked and I found myself wondering how long I had to wait until I could safely wiggle my arm out. Thoughts of my “to do” list danced in my head….laundry to be folded, piles of correspondence to be addressed, veggies to be cut, drafts to be proofed. Then it occurred to me I could just surrender to the stillness. Lulled by the sound of his breath, his sleep whimpers, and the warmth of his little body…I was reminded how important it is to take time to just be…to be still...to focus my attention on what is before me.

Maybe you are already skilled at focusing your attention and if so prioritize doing it this week. If you don't feel like you are very focused...it may be less daunting than you think. My challenge for you is to take one activity you do on a regular basis…doing the bills, talking with a friend, going for a walk. Really do it…drink in the sights and sounds, the feel of the paper – the weight in your hand, the sight of the snow – as it drifts in the wind, the sound of your friend’s voice – the changes in tone. If you find your thoughts drifting from what is before you, gently bring them back. If focusing your attention is difficult for you at first, keep at it, it gets easier. Doing so will greatly enhance your life and bring you closer to feeling more in tune and in balance. Enjoy the stillness!