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“Everything in the world must have design or the human mind rejects it. But in addition it must have purpose or the human conscience shies away from it.” John Steinbeck, Travels With Charley

Do you ever start a project just to find that the project itself seems to grow as you work?  I’m one of those people who gets really inspired and pulls everything from drawers and closets and puts it all in one big pile.  I feel strong and powerful as I set out to organize all that falls into my path.  Well, this is true until all the “unpacking” is finished.  As it looms, every other task on my to-do list seems more interesting and important.  I putter around uselessly, picking up things and putting them down or noticing that the windows could really be washed.  I know it is almost all over when I begin to dream that someone from one of those organizing shows will knock on my door and lead me through the overwhelming process that I’ve begun.  I sit defeated, surrounded by treasures, garbage, things that belong to other people and things I don’t even remember purchasing and no one comes to save me from myself.

If I’m feeling especially sharp I can even convince myself that organizing is overrated and that my disorganization is probably positively correlated to my productivity and creativity!

“One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries.” A. A. Milne

While this can be exciting, being surprised about where my house keys are every day is a bit of a drag and a total waste of time and energy.  Clearly I’m no expert on de-cluttering so I won’t attempt to compete with the pros here but I have 2 strategies that are usually enough to get me going and keep me on task.  They might also serve you if you are procrastinating on your goal using cleaning or de-cluttering.  (I can’t write because my desk is a mess…sound familiar?)

1.  Hide the pile.  Seriously, most of us are very visual, so a huge pile of tax receipts, winter and summer clothes, office files or kitchen cupboards can be so un-motivating and intimidating that we just want to go back to bed.  So shove it all out of site and…

2.  Start small.  Choose to sort for one type of item.  Maybe you want to hunt in the big pile for clothes that can be given away, things that don’t belong in that room (put them all in a big laundry basket and put it out of site, just outside the door of the room you are working in).  You can pluck away at this over a few hours, or in shorter increments of time, and the pile will get smaller.  Really!

The benefit of the hide the pile strategy is that if you are really legitimately interrupted you have not left your home or office in a terrible state.  The drawback of the hide the pile strategy is that you might just forget about it all together.  But hey maybe that’s not so bad either.

“My theory on housework is, if the item doesn’t multiply, smell, catch fire, or block the refrigerator door, let it be. No one else cares, why should you?” Erma Bombeck

“It’s frustrating to believe that peace is some distant goal attainable only by a few fortunate souls blessed with good genes, superior brain chemistry, plenty of money, or a calling as a monk.  But peace has not deserted even the crankiest and busiest among us.  The most basic fact about being human is that peace is in our own true nature, our fundamental state of mind.  There’s a Buddhist saying that peace is like a sun that’s always shining in your heart.  It’s just hidden behind clouds of fear, doubt, worry and desire that continually orient you toward the past or the future.  The sun comes out only when you’re in the present moment”.  Joan Borysenko “Inner Peace for Busy People”. 

Inner Peace for Busy People

I’ll be with you in a moment, a moment on the lips a lifetime on the hips, moment to moment, wait a moment, take a moment, I need a moment; how can we make the most of our moments?

Walk on the sunny side

Life is made up of a collection of moments, while some moments are beyond your control; how those moments are strung together and interpreted is up to you.  Some days we think “everything went wrong” other days are interpreted as “good days”, the real truth is likely that both days had moments that make you want to go back to bed and moments that are neutral or good.  If you are really struggling, you might need to make small moments of kindness even more important, more powerful, the focus of more of your attention.  Focus on the flight attendant who was especially helpful rather than the character next to you who has confused a red eye flight with a sleazy pick up joint.  Think of how nice she was to you as he leers and flirts while spilling his 5th vodka and sticky cranberry juice on your only outfit as your luggage didn’t make the connection! 

“When you feel crazy busy, try taking a breath, and let go of whatever is on your mind.  Think, here I am.  Let your body relax, and feel your connection to the larger whole.  This is not an easy task, but it becomes more and more possible with practice.  Here you are.  The possibilities for joy are all around you.  Joan Borysenko, “Inner Peace for Busy People”. 

Yesterday my moment came from turning off the baby monitor for 2 minutes, which didn’t feel particularly zen or kind, but did feel necissary.  I know it can be hard, if you want some additional motivation try Joan’s book, she also has tapes.  Check her out at www.joanborysenko.comThe book I have used today as inpiration for this post is one of my favorites because it is written in 52 short chapters which is realistic for busy, tired people. 

Too busy to read?  Try this little strategy all you have to do is count to 5

Take a deep breath in for 5 counts, hold it for 5 counts and let it out slowly for at least 5 counts.  Do this 5 times. 

Thank you for taking a moment with me this morning.

I’m making some changes to the site, adding more information, updating text and adding some pictures so for the next couple of weeks all you will be able to access is the blog.  If you have any questions in the meantime please don’t hesitate to get in touch.