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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The tough job of letting go of intentions and aspirations

I've been thinking a lot lately about my 3rd Happiness Commandment  - Savor the Present.  I'm very good about not dwelling on the past in terms of my thoughts and the future is usually focused on in terms of goals that require actions in the present so that is all good.  However, I do let myself get stuck on intentions and aspirations that no longer fit my "Present".

Example - these bags of artist quality colored pencils that I brought home after going through my Dad's art supplies after he died almost three years ago.  He didn't even work in colored pencil and had them because a friend had given them to him!  I know I'm not going to use them and I know someone who could use them in her work - seems obvious doesn't it.  But that means letting go of my intentions not just the pencils.  (By the way, if anyone reading this really wants them, let me know in the comments section and I'll mail them out!).

I have been saying for about 10 years that I want to go to Paris - never booked the trip though.  Why is that?  I think the idea is more desirable than the travel would be.  If you check my 12 for 2012 goals you'll see that just today I modified that goal to be broader.  I'd really like to go to Santa Fe or Key West or New York City or revisit the California wine country - probably more than I want to go to Paris.  All much simpler trips given our present interests, schedule of visits to family spread out around the country, and our financial goals and obligations.

I know that I felt a weight lift when I decided to get rid of our bird feeder and birdbath.  I love watching birds, but cleaning those and buying seed - not so much.  I still see lots of birds and I enjoy them more now.

Look around your life (home, head, work, friends, whatever!) and see where you are holding on to past intentions and aspirations.  They don't just live in stuff that could be decluttered, but they can weigh us down just as much. 


10 comments:

  1. Amen!!! Getting my scrap/sewing room back in order last week makes me fell a million pounds lighter!

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  2. Thought-provoking post. Thanks. Oh, and please turn off the word verification on your comments. It takes more time to add comments.

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    1. I'd be happy to turn that off but I don't see how. I was getting spam so perhaps dealing with that triggered something. Sorry.

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  3. Yes! Such a smart post. I am struggling with a big decision right now regarding work vs. volunteering that I won't bore you with. This post is helping me see that what worked for me six months ago, may not still work for me now as much as I would like it to. As humans, we grow and change and as that happens our values shift. That is just part of life. Checking in with ourselves every now and then is a wise thing to do.

    And if you do choose to come to the California wine country, let it be my pleasure to show you about. I would love it!

    Adrienne

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    1. Things do shift don't they and sometimes it takes us a while to catch up with them! Thanks for the kind offer - if we do come I'll let you know but it would probably not be until right after my son's wedding in N. CA in spring 2013.

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  4. All too true - thanks for sharing xx

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  5. If you haven't given away those pencils yet, I'd love them thanks, as I use Prismacolour pencils in my card making and have been trying to resist the urge to buy some more!:)I would want to send you something in return though. Is there anything from Australia that you'd like?
    I used my Dad's hair brush for about 6 months after he died. It made me feel close to him.
    Beading supplies are my aspirational clutter. I should give the lot away to my friend and her daughter, who make jewellery. I'll tackle that area in my craft room decluttering next week. Great post, thanks:)

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    1. Hmmm, I hadn't thought of the possibility of mailing them to another country! I'll contact you for your address and find out what it would take to do that.

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