Something New Comes In…Something Old Goes Out!
I have a new rule…when something new comes in, something old (or at least older) goes out. And more than one old thing at a time if possible! And I am diligent about this now. Why?
Because…after emptying 2 huge storage units full, from top to bottom, and front to back, of “stuff” – albeit things I loved! – I am determined never to accumulate things in my life again! They owned me…I didn’t own them! And they were a complete distraction from my lifelong mission and purpose!
Worked to Buy Stuff…But had No Time to Use It!
I was working to make the money to buy all of this “stuff” (the big house and everything in it), and/or receiving a lot of it as gifts, and was never in a million years going to have time to use and fully enjoy all of it.
Then life throws a curve ball (or two, or three) and I’m forced to let it all go! Kicking and screaming for sure…at least initially!
Anyway, I found myself selling some of it for next to nothing, giving away most of it to friends and charities, and dumping many things in dumpsters just to get it out of my life and out of my way! I even lugged (by myself) a huge 400 pound water filter system to the dumpster near my storage unit just to avoid paying another month of rent for an $8000 item that had not sold in 13 months! And I was only asking $500!!!
Interestingly what I’m discovering is just how easy it is to accumulate more stuff! That damn vacuum effect! But I’m fighting it all the way this time…No more stuff! LOL
My task at the end of 2014 was to downsize from a 4200 sq ft home to an 1800 sq ft home. And then at close to the end of 2015, that space was reduced to a small bedroom that I’m staying in until I begin my Journey of 1000 Days. More to follow on all of this in later blogposts.
Trying to get rid of stuff is way more challenging than collecting stuff!
Reflecting back, it was so easy to collect “stuff’, and actually a lot of fun! Mainly because it took my mind off the deep gnawing, aching feeling deep within my soul that I was hiding out from my life’s purpose – and the years were flashing by at warp speed.
I would sit with friends or by myself and take in the beauty I had created all around me. Everyone, whether friends and family, or clients and patients, would rave about how beautiful, peaceful and comfortable my environment was.
And for a moment (or two) I would take pride in these various kudos…and then, uncontrollably cry myself to sleep, after they left, feeling trapped in a pit of emptiness, meaninglessness, and deep despair…along with a house full of beautiful things that I just couldn’t part with! Oh, the irony…
My heart and soul knew I had a bigger purpose…a more important mission to accomplish in this lifetime. In fact, from the age of six I have talked endlessly (and no doubt boringly for some) about peace on earth in our lifetime. Pollyannaish perspective to many I’m sure…but my vision just the same.
But “STUFF” was holding me back. Until finally one universal two by four after another struck – and the day of reckoning finally arrived.
It was time to either allow my soul to die with the material stuff…or allow it to fly with the God-inspired dream!
I Chose to Fly With the God-Inspired Dream!
And that meant releasing everything I thought was important to me – the stuff that owned me and had my soul in chains. And what a journey this has been, and continues to be. But each day, I see the light at the end of the tunnel, and feel the excitement building as I truly shed the chains that have been binding me.
Each day it gets easier and easier to let go of the last remaining “things”. The dream feels closer than ever before, and it’s taking on a life of its own…and my soul is ready to spread its expansive wings and soar into the universe of freedom and infinite possibilities.
Will you join us on the Journey of 1000 Days global peace mission and movement? We definitely need all of the help we can get to make this a reality…
Much Love
Dr Marilyn
PS: To get started on your own journey of releasing “stuff” and at least having an uncluttered space – which leads to an uncluttered mind according to a lot of research – pick up your copy of my Minimalism Report. It is loaded with lots of simple steps to help you declutter your life, in every way imaginable!
PPS: And another way to get lots of extra help and support on your own journey, as well as to participate in the Journey of 1000 Days please join us on Facebook. Remember to LIKE the page…and share it with everyone you know!