Simple idea. Big Impact. Always ready donation box.

This idea has crossed my mind before, and likely been suggested many times. For some reason this week, it continues to create urgency in my own spaces. It seems to advocate for others, almost silently. 

I was involved with others this week in helping someone who needed help. It inspired me to do more. At home and at work, the impact of clearing the space benefits many. Awareness of what could be used by others, moving into the thinking that together, a few of us talking, turned into many of us doing what needed to be done for someone.

I am very grateful for the experience. I feel like it rang more than one bell, as life often does. I was awakened to more opportunity for meaningful work of really helping others. And in the end, I was a beneficiary as well. A very profound experience that humbles me deeply. Not a woman of many words this week. Just a simple idea, with a big impact. Within the plenty, is opportunity. Keep handy, the always ready donation box.

Everlasting Knowledge

I amthink back on last week about the 'teachers' in my life, and the lessons learned. This post is delayed in it's publishing as the the thinking back took a long look. I have some extraordinary teachers in my life right now. Each one is such an inspiration, influence, and clear representation of potential. Some are not even aware that they are teachers in any regard. This subject has lingered many days, and even right now, I am not sure what triggered the completion of this post. I am not even aware of which piece of everlasting knowledge has hit it's mark. I only know that some spark has occurred and for an unexplainable reason, I continue to provide words and thoughts that will also light a spark in you, and together we celebrate our lessons learned. It is a privilege to be the missing piece of larger landscape.

I have lingered at usefulness. If this means something to me, I can only hope you get some value from it as well. There is value in everlasting knowledge in that is always worth something, no matter how great or small. The deep dive into awareness through the "Awaken" Journal Calendar is opening simple thoughts into cavernous spectacle. As I created the material to guide you along the path, I had no scope of how expansive the experience could become. As I prepare the daily facebook posts for the calendar journal prompts, what I had in mind when I created it has evolved into a larger awareness. I didn't even think that was possible. 

I have discovered that I am the teacher and the student, still, and likely forever. I love the fresh look at everlasting knowledge that continues to evolve in my life, and hopefully for you also. 

I have never heard of this book or this author, and I include this finding for who may find it interesting. Please leave a comment if you have read it or know about this author. This is an affiliate link for me.

In the coming year, I will answer the 'organize or storage' question. In my life, I want to apply it to consistency. As my professional and personal lives converge, it is important to me that my behavior is constantly improving to the benefit of all concerned. The question to be answered, as I pursue de-cluttered spaces is, "does what I pick up have a storage need or and organizational need." My team at work thinks that my office could be organized better. Step one: Admit there is a problem, and that it is unmanageable. As I looked looked it over this past week, I have concluded that it is no longer my office, but the ground floor storage room. Each item I touch will either command a safe place or a trip to the dumpster. I feel pretty confident that I could get my week's daily exercise making that many trips as I create new space in my office. 

I will have to learn to shut the door also. One of the hazards of my open-door management style is that people walk in all day, every day. Often with something in their hands. Replace, replenish, new standards for various items that have not yet lost their use. There are the sentimental things that represent what we have worked hard for. You know what it is like to move after you have lived in a house for a few years? You find things that make you ask, "what was I thinking when I decided it was THAT important to keep this?"

I am mirroring the same organizational approach in my personal spaces at home by focusing on a different area challenge each week. You can find the list by clicking on The 52 Week Challenge below. At home, I know it is so refreshing to find a solution to organize individual concerns that occur in particular spaces. The presented items below offer simple, inexpensive ways to bring about some order for the challenges on the list for these first few days of the year. I am ordering two of the recycle bag holders in preparation for the bathroom organization challenge that will eventually be presented.

So, what does this have to do with journal writing?

As part of the exercise I suggest that a few ideas be jotted down in the journal to prepare the mind, almost as a coach would lead the next play. Prepare the mind and the brain may not depart to places it has always gone before. This is an exercise in peace of mind. Create the space in your mind. Create a plan to manifest the change with whatever it takes to match the vision you have of a well-balanced, uncluttered space, where ideas and confidence flow. Spend a few moments with the pen and the paper before tackling the project. Then, step back and look at the success of a job well done and journal how it feels to make this positive change. Even if it is only a step at a time, record the progress that you can return to as many times as needed to manifest the desired outcome. There must be a reason the change is important. Write about that. After it's over and if you look around to see that the wheels are coming off the bus again, review the journaling notes to see what built the success and then do it again. And again, if that is what it takes. 

All of the positive growth and awareness will flourish if it has a sacred space to do it in. This is my heart's desire all year as I answer the question, "Organize or storage?"

Change what you want to change and behold your transformation.

My goals list is likely way too long this year. If I do everything I want to do, I would not be getting near enough sleep. Not only do I like my sleep..a lot..but I learned this week about all the repair and recovery that happens while we sleep. Optimum sleep occurs between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 a.m., and contributes greatly to our wellness. It's been years since I could string together more than one late night to another. My body is very tuned to adequate sleep. As such, I get to rise early daily, almost totally restored. I am not willing to give up something that I can never get back, for so little reward. Would a caterpillar jeopardize the butterfly's transformation for frivolity?

In our home we are about to undergo the 'night-shift shuffle' again. My husband's schedule will change and we are preparing the 'cocoon' as he calls the bedroom. Blackout curtains, and deep, dark colored super soft sheets. New pillows and a fresh flip of the mattress. I'll tuck some lavender in his drawer and he'll never know it's there. His daily transformation will depend on how long he leaves the television on and what shows are playing. I am truly thankful that he adjusts very well to these changes. They are a yearly occurrence in his job and this time, it will last longer than before. Balance in all areas of our life are more important when we are disrupting our sleep patterns. Awareness of that balance is a big responsibility with great rewards when done well. Vitality is it's own best reward.

Click HERE for 10 benefits of a good night's sleep.

A new phrase I learned is 'functionally intoxicated' - I can relate to that feeling after a long day. As I work toward my goals, sleep deprivation can occur if I am not diligent in my sleep hygiene. Click Here to find out about preparing for sleep. Wellness is in the scope of our influence, and sleep contributes much to that end. For the smallest of issues to major health concerns, sleep can be transformation daily or nightly.