Can Increased Faith Lend Way To Decreased Clutter?

Can Increased Faith Lend Way To Decreased Clutter?

     I can’t be at home with who I am when my closets are filled with who I used to be.

     Have you ever heard a book chant?

     It goes something like this, “Read me, read me, read me.”

     It’s not only stressful; it’s distracting and exhausting.

     I’ve been on the fence about getting rid of some books. Why on the fence?

  • Some of these books were reference material.
  • Others were impulse buys that I never got around to reading.
  • The rest were hand-me-downs from friends. I didn’t have the heart to say “no” when they were offered to me. But I never read them either.

     How can I be at home with who I am when my closets are filled with who I used to be?

     Holding onto things can only serve to feed my old scarcity mentality, which I am ready to retire. I’d like to trust that if I need to reference something it will find it’s way to me. After all, these books found their way to me when I needed them most so shouldn’t books that enrich who I am today be able to find their way to me just as easily?

     Can you detect my wrestle with faith?

     A couple days into my sorting I was sitting at our kitchen table sipping coffee. It was a Sunday morning. My thoughts drifted to Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday show. I’ve only seen it once. I’m not usually near a television on Sundays at 11am. I glance at the clock, 10:15am, grab my laptop and google her guest lineup. Brené Brown! One of my new favorite inspirational speakers is going to be on! What a coincidence! I can’t even believe it! Brené Brown falls into my lap while I’m at my kitchen table sipping coffee in my pajamas.

     Talk about confirmation that what I need will find its way to me. It was as though the heavens were saying, “Get rid of these books so we can bring you new information that will serve who you are becoming.” The heavens can’t find my lap when I’ve got all this other stuff in it and even if it does, I’m not likely to notice what I’m not expecting.

     The items in your home will either enrich or exhaust your spirit. These books used to enrich my spirit but now these same books are exhausting it.

     How does that happen?

     Because they serve who I have been, not who I am becoming.

     Noticing what drains my spirit makes cleaning out my closets a whole lot easier. An item that enriches my spirit uplifts me. The thought of listening to Brené Brown puts a smile on my face—raises my spirits. The thought of reading an impulse buy in order to justify the expense depletes it.

     Have you ever read the book, “Behaving As If The God In All Life Matters” by Machaelle Small Wright? She talks about how everything has a purpose. When we hold onto things, that we will likely never use, we prevent them from fulfilling their purpose.

     I bet there is someone waiting in the wings to be enriched by these books that I am ready to part with just as I was. I want to express my gratitude by treating these books reverently. I could donate them or bring them to a new age store for consignment to find their next of kin.

     The truth is that these books have become a part of who I am today. I even learned something valuable from the ones I bought on impulse and never read, and from my difficulty with saying “no” to the hand-me-downs from friends. They are now a part of how I think, how I love and how I live. Once a part of who I am today, does it further serve me, or the book, to hold onto its physical remnants?

     This sequence of events has confirmed my belief that increased faith lends way to decreased clutter.

     So what are you waiting for?

  • Reverently re-purpose, re-gift or re-tire what no longer enriches your spirit.
  • Release what you will likely never use so it can fulfill its purpose.
  • Make room for what will uplift, nurture and nourish the new you and don’t forget to expect it.

Happy Spring cleaning!

Friends in this Love,

Dr. Trish

Comments

  1. Amy Falk

    Trish, great article! And it made a really good talk as well. I particularly love the line about the closet. Check out my Syndala FB page- I used it and added a line! ;-)

    Reply
    1. Trish Whynot

      Thanks for framing my quote Amy! And for taking the time to comment. :)

      Reply
  2. Karee Hagan says:

    Hello - I signed up for your newsletter a year or more ago at Circles of Wisdom after a Crystals 101 class and I have to say, I just love to read your articles and look forward to each one. I went through a whole de-cluttering phase last month and found it so hard to donate the books I no longer needed but if I didn't "love" it - it had to go. Once I did that, I have to admit I felt 100 lbs lighter and that moved me to clean clothes closets, furniture, and "stuff" in general. There's plenty of space around me now and who knows what will come! I will at least be able to invite whatever it is - in! Thanks for your insight.

    Reply
    1. Trish Whynot

      Always inspiring to know that my words touch someone so thank you Karee. And thanks for inspiring others with your decluttering story. :)

      Reply
  3. Tee says:

    Many friends have recently commented that I have a lot of 'stuff' in my new apartment. It confirms the slow building I have had that its time to clean out - and make room for the next phase of my life. Great reminder in this article too :)

    Reply
    1. Trish Whynot

      Thanks for sharing your experience. Enjoy the journey!

      Reply
  4. Marie

    Trish, You always have the right words at the proper moment. Clutter has always been a reflection of all the "to dos" that end up leading me to inaction, rather than moving forward and staying focused; as within, so without.

    It is a blessing to have reminders of blockages we hold which keep us from realizing our full potential.

    Looking forward to seeing you at your book signing!

    Reply
    1. Trish Whynot

      Thanks for posting, Marie! Looking forward to seeing you Friday at Circles of Wisdom too! YAY!!

      Reply

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