It is a gorgeous morning, clouds full of pre-purge precipitation in the desert sky as fresh fallen snow tops the higher reaches of the Red Rock mountain range standing mightily in the distance. As we prepare our hearts and minds to say goodbye to 2016, let us be encouraged by the joy that is found in farewells.
While enjoying my routine, mind-clearing, morning jog I was filled with excitement about the close of another year. Today is like the joy of reading the final page of a book you’ve struggled so hard to finish. Some chapters harder to read than others, but you pushed on, and made it to the end. Well done. With the next fresh book patiently beckoning, you muscle through anticipating that wonderful sense of accomplishment .
I am inspired to share with you a few things to consider as you cross the threshold into the new space that is 2017. I believe these may soothe sore spots in your life, and provide an opportunity to create space for abundance.
Reflection
In an article entitled “Clear Your Clutter” featured on Martha Stewart.com, the author gives wise advice about making room in your life to receive what you desire. She says “that space is a reflection of what’s inside”. So simple and profound as we take a look around us at all of the spaces we inhabit. Beginning with our bodies, what do our physical bodies say about what’s inside of us? Move out gently to our immediate surroundings, and notice the spaces you frequent most often. What do those spaces say about how you are feeling and what you are experiencing in life. Do they line up with how you want to feel? We can take a look at our work spaces, our relational spaces, even our mental spaces. What is taking up space, using our energy, and do these things help us or hurt us? Can you pause long enough to simply think about an area in your life that you would like to improve? Do you long to make more time to read books you love? Are you curious about making a special meal that requires an organized kitchen pantry? Have you ever considered writing that book or taking that photography class, or maybe signing up for a session of Reiki you’ve always wanted to try? What’s in the way preventing these thoughts from becoming realities?
According to the article referenced above, ask yourself the following question: ” If eliminating things from my life would make space for something new, more important, what would I want? ” This is a great starting point, because without a vision of what you would like to do or see in your life, you will likely remain stuck in the clutter. We must decide that our stay in the land of in-between is up.
Decision Making
Best-selling author Tony Robbins opens his 500 page book Awakening the Giant Within with a reminder of the power of decision-making. Strength born from taking action. Indecision is paralyzing, and when you become empowered by making small decisions more frequently, you set yourself up for confronting bigger decisions. Most of the things we truly want in life are available to us, we just have to decide we want them. Decide we will take action by implementing a plan that will guide us along the way.
Decide what you would like to get rid of in your life in order to make space for the things you deeply desire. Do you need to get rid of self-imposed expectations weighing you down? Maybe now is the time to purge yourself of hopelessness, bitterness, and powerlessness. Decide and do it. It is your choice. Is this the time to donate your unloved material possessions to a favorite charity you have always wanted to support? Decide to let go of those items. Ask yourself, “Do I love them? Do I need them?” If the answer is not a resounding YES!, give them up. You are practicing decision-making, and you are blessing someone in greater need who will benefit from your release.
Clearing Space
Tina Turner once said, “Sometimes you have to let everything go …purge yourself. If you are unhappy with anything, whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. You will find that when you are free, your true creativity, your true self comes out.”
Purging, de-cluttering, sorting, organizing, are forms of therapy. Give yourself the gift of making space for the things you would like to attract and enjoy in your life. In order to invite those things into your life, you must make room for them. How do you want to feel in these new spaces? Inspired? Productive? Intimate? Creative? If the space is full of things that contradict its intention, take action: Reflect, Decide, and Remove it!
C. S. Lewis leaves us with these wonderful words to consider on this final day of 2016:
” There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind. “
Stand in Love, Jen xxx
Stand In Love 