School is about to start, whether we are ready for it or not. This school year will bring so many challenges that we have never seen before, right down to feeling like returning could possibly be a life or death decision. Amid getting ready (and planning for a virtual experience just in case…), we also have life to contend with. Do you ever feel so overwhelmed that even dust makes you angry? Lol! Seriously though, when we feel those small things weighing us down, we need to look at the bigger picture. For me, I need to look at the not so obvious stuff, not the deadlines or the bills, but the state of my emotional self. When I say we need to declutter our emotional life, I am talking about learning to say no, recognizing and weeding out the oppressive people in our lives, and choose people who bring out the best in us and love us for our unique selves. Embrace who you are and be proud no matter what is in your past. We are a new creation every day. How cool is that? There is a wonderful legend about an old Cherokee grandfather teaching his grandson about choices, and it involves two wolves:
“A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.
“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”
The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”
https://www.oneyoufeed.net/about-the-parable/
So what does that mean for you and me? It means we need to take a close look at the choices we are making, the people we are allowing into the sacred space of our heart and mind. We need to watch the words we are saying to ourselves and the attitudes we are carrying into each day. Here is an exercise for you: Find a picture of yourself as a small child. The next time you are going to say something condescending to yourself, look at that picture. Would you speak to a young child that way? I hope not. So why speak to yourself that way? We all have an inner child that needs healing and to be loved. Treat yourself with kindness, go easy on you. Face challenges with a sense of hope and team up with people who champion for you, who are willing to bring chocolate and a hot cup of tea by just to check in and say, hey. And get a dog, or for a real challenge, get a cat😊
We are doing a series of articles, activities, and a podcast on various aspects of decluttering. Please join us all month for some fun and maybe even some insight to living a less cluttered life.
On August 10th Jessica Ocasio, who is the owner of Appealing Touch professional cleaning services, will join us in a podcast. Jessica will be talking to us about the art of decluttering by cleaning the right way.
Namaste,
