To simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak
Feng Shui expert, Lucy Harmer (www.innerelf.ch) recommends a quarterly house hold purge. Setting the timer for 2 hours — no more, no less — she suggests placing 4 big containers in a central location; one for throw aways, one for give aways, one for donations, and one for reacessing next time. Being ruthless, Lucy says, is key, as is enjoying this systematic cleanse that rejuvenates — mind, body and spirit.
Listening to my still not so small voice — I know that my time has come. Diving into this quarterly discipline is the BE of my yoga practice. I am relieved by the two hour window once per quarter bit, and by the fact that there are only 4 containers — really, only 3, if you see what I mean.
As I have pack rat tendencies, I am challenged — despite longstanding dreams of being a minimalist. Having rented a storage space for years, my closets and drawers are filled with coats, outfits, shoes and hand bags that date back to the turn of both centuries. (Not to mention family furniture dating back to the mid 1800s. Won’t go there for now.) Previous attempts have resulted in my tiptoeing into the garage, ram sacking to reclaim a this or that.
But, this time — I AM responding to a Still Small Voice Within and I Am being called to action. By simplifying in this and every way — by eliminating the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak, my yoga practice deepens and evolves; treasures find new spaces to inhabit which, I’m told, is liberating.
With each step along the way of my yoga practice, I’ve eased in, never insisting or forcing or driving. In fact, each step has come to the doorstep of my spirit and welcomed — almost without my realizing a deeper and richer connection.
I trust that I AM being guided. And from this guidance comes…a more fantastic way of Being in life.
Eliminating the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak…
As the snow melts into springtime — Mother Earth’s clearing to prepare for the new, I’ll follow suit by designating the next two hours — gearing up for the academy awards — as a big adventure into listening. Resisting the temptation to resist, I will respond accordingly…and just witness, as if Meryl Streep (hahaha) were playing, not Julia Childs, but Jody Tull, donning her apron, situating her 4 containers, and setting the timer.
Ready, set, go…
I am setting my timer this weekend and giving it a try. Can I bring my stuff to your house?
Maybe we’ll have a day of unloading and swapping. You take my stuff and I’ll take yours. Open it up to Ann Arbor, we could sell tickets and donate all to something worthwhile with all generated!!! Hmmmmm.