Wednesday, January 28, 2015

It’s a Process

Lately, my thoughts and actions seem to be moving me in new directions. I’ve had a lot on my mind, and I am trying to work through the feelings and emotions that go along with this process. From the time we are born, life becomes a series of changes and new directions. All these changes become the process of our lives. When the process is altered, we can be thrown into chaos, and it can be followed by an enormous amount of confusion. This is normal, but we must move on.

Perceiving my life as a process helps me approach change as a series of small steps, or choices. These small steps help me set the pace of the process at hand. Thus, I feel some semblance of control. Our best bet is to make the series of changes necessary that become the new process of our lives. It is said that life is a journey; but I say, the journey is an ever-changing process.


Turtle Face photo courtesy of Alex Masters

Friday, January 16, 2015

A Stroll Down Memory Lane

I’m not the type of person to dwell on the past; but recently, I have found myself taking the proverbial stroll down memory lane. I have been going through boxes that have followed me since I was a child. You know, the ones you never look in that just seem to show up from place to place as if permanently tethered to you for life. Since I am intent on downsizing my life, and all things that have made up my life, I am attacking my past. Yes, I have been going through all my photos, cards saved, and personal this and that.

When was the last time you looked at your high school annual? I graduated forty years ago. I could care less about those annuals. Do I really need all of my report cards and various memorabilia? The answer is no. I am cutting the tether and getting rid of this stuff so I can simplify my life when I move from this home, and so someone else doesn’t have to deal with it in the future when I have passed. These are my memories, and if they mean nothing to me at this point, why on earth would they mean something to someone else?

But there are those saved things that do mean something, that elicit a warm, fuzzy feeling. What to do about those? Well, some items are going to go away. If I decide I am going to keep something at this point, I picture it tethered to me. I ask myself, is it tether worthy? I must say, this thought makes these decisions rather simple.

I have the intention to move in the next year or so. I have the time to go through my past and clean house like I have never done before. So I am taking the time to look at everything. I am enjoying seeing old photographs, reading old letters and cards from when I was a child, and looking at this and that. I figure since I’ve had these items this long, they deserve one more look. Will I miss having them? No. Will I miss seeing them ever again? I don’t think so.

I see my next phase of life as a more condensed way of living. If I have less, there will be less to maintain less to manage. That sounds good to me. While I may not travel down this same memory lane ever again, I will have plenty of space in my life to create new memories, and new lanes; and I know, the memories of my past are never far behind me.
Tethered photo courtesy of glasseyes view

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

A Word to the Wise

In January 2006, I began an annual pilgrimage, of sorts. That was the first year I chose a word or theme for the year. I have been on this annual word journey ever since. The word theme not only follows me throughout the year, but also guides me in strange and wondrous ways. My word is never far from my brain, never far from my heart. This word, my word, is always born from the intention to be the best I can be. Words are powerful, and can lead you in many directions. By attaching my word to the intention to be the best I can be, my word leads onward - in a continuing forward direction, day-to-day, month-to-month, and year-to-year.

My word for 2015 is simplicity. I will plant the seed of simplicity in my brain as I start each day, and I will watch it grow throughout the day, month, and year. I’m not talking about living off the land with no electricity or running water. That kind of simplicity is not for me; and if you ask, it sounds like a lot of work! Instead, simplicity will reevaluate the complicated, making my life and my decisions less complicated, less demanding, and wholly uncluttered. Simplicity will slow me down and steer me towards my best self.

As I look back, I can see this word theme concept has never failed me. Instead of focusing on a resolution to begin your year, adopt a word that will follow you and guide you in a positive direction. If you need some assistance in choosing a word, here are a few of mine from previous years: momentum, intention, forward, balance and me. If you are the type of person who gives to everyone and everything without considering your needs, I would like to offer you a word to the wise and make 2015 the year of YOU. And just what is a word to the wise? All that is required my friend, all that is required.
Simplicity photo courtesy of LadyDragonflyCC