Falling into Autumn

Autumn is my favorite season of all!  As we get our comfy sweaters ready to wear and our cozy throws appear on our beds and couches, we still enjoy a few more warmer afternoons, before the chill of the nights settle in.  I love days like today when you can feel a slight crispness to the air, you can hear the crunch of leaves under your shoes as you walk and you can smell the leaves as they transition from tree limb to forest floor...  Deep inhale...  Mmmm, Ahhhhhh...

As the trees and flowers begin to shed their summer wardrobe, we too should choose to shed what no longer serves us.  Who needs to wait until spring for said "Spring cleaning"?  Hmm?  I say each season we need a good cleanse!

My husband and I call it the Purge, and no, not the thriller movie kind of purge, but a cleansing for the mind, body and soul kind of purge.  When we are surrounded by too many "things" - especially things we no longer find valuable, or things that are no longer of use to us, we choose to be surrounded by stagnant energy.  Stagnant energy will bring us down, even make us sick.  Think of it this way...  Would we choose to move to a city that has extremely poor air quality and we are surrounded by smog every day?  Well, that's not preferable, correct?  So why would we choose to surround ourselves with stagnant energy that effects us literally on every level.

Take a weekend, or even just an afternoon to choose to go through one area of your home or office.*  There should be four distinct categories.  1.  You use every day - so you keep close by.  2.  You use every so often, and when you need it, you want it close by. (this one you need to be very careful of, as it could be a very slippery slope!*)  3.  You no longer need or use, but someone else may - here is the beginning of your donate pile and then of course 4.  Trash it!

We try to recycle as much as we can, but let's face it, sometimes it's just junk!  And that's ok.  Let it go.  I love donating items that I once loved and think now someone else will get to love it as much as I did.  It's a very heart warming feeling to think you don't need to keep everything or have everything in order to be happy.  Why?  Because happiness begins on the inside - right?  And if we are looking to outside influences in order to make/keep us happy...  when those things are no more, or go away - so does our happiness.  Not a healthy plan.  However, if we start with a happy, loving and balanced heart, we find we no longer need to hold onto everything we ever loved in order to maintain happiness.**  Yes, it is indeed, very freeing.

My husband and I purge often.  It is very healthy and, may I even add, necessary in order for us to live healthy and fulfilled lives**.  The first time may be the toughest, but then as you master the art of living simply, you recognize right away, if something needs to stay, or if it needs to go.

Happy purging!
Be Well,
Mary-Anne

*If you have trouble on where or how to begin, there are folks that can help you...  like Carleen - the Clutter Doctor!

**If you want more information on how to create a more healthy & fulfilled life with a happy, loving and balanced heart, email me for a free consult!  :)