C - contribute. Contribute what you can to worthy causes.
The very stuff that has become a burden to you can be a blessing to someone else.
How many vegetable peelers can you really use at once? If you keep your favorite, and it breaks (although I've never seen that happen), could you purchase a new one in a reasonable period of time for a reasonable price? Of course you could. Get rid of the other two.
Now, apply that principle to your closet; to your garage; to your excess office supplies. Choose a charity and take a trip there today (discards that stay in your home even one week tend to stay forever)! I like to donate to the Salvation Army Family Store two miles from my house. I can drive up, get help unloading, receive a tax receipt for my donation, and even get a discount coupon sometimes for things I actually need in their store. Find something convenient so you won't hesitate to fill a bag regularly.
Be a blessing!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
ABC's of Organization
B - buy. Buy only after careful consideration.
If you had known what you would spend over a decade dry cleaning that sweater in the back of your closet, would you have purchased it? If not, use that knowledge to make better purchases in the future.
Consider the cost of maintaining, cleaning, insuring and storing the next item that gives you the "I want's." Is it still a bargain buy?
Should you measure the space you intend to fill with the new item? Is it possible you already have something that will do the job just as well?
How often will you use the new item? If only once or twice, can you borrow or rent one?
In any case, it is good advice to shop around before making any major purchase. There are many sites which offer price comparisons. One site even tracks prices before you buy: http://www.priceprotectr.com/.
Are you in the majority of people - those who have made more purchases that they regret than lost items which "got away" due to inaction?
If you had known what you would spend over a decade dry cleaning that sweater in the back of your closet, would you have purchased it? If not, use that knowledge to make better purchases in the future.
Consider the cost of maintaining, cleaning, insuring and storing the next item that gives you the "I want's." Is it still a bargain buy?
Should you measure the space you intend to fill with the new item? Is it possible you already have something that will do the job just as well?
How often will you use the new item? If only once or twice, can you borrow or rent one?
In any case, it is good advice to shop around before making any major purchase. There are many sites which offer price comparisons. One site even tracks prices before you buy: http://www.priceprotectr.com/.
Are you in the majority of people - those who have made more purchases that they regret than lost items which "got away" due to inaction?
Thursday, July 23, 2009
ABC's of Organization
A - accept. Accept your limitations.
I took piano lessons as a child, at least until my parents grew weary of nagging me to practice. Truth was, I had read a passage of The Amityville Horror and was sure that the pig was watching me through the window on the opposite side of the room from the piano. I remember being relieved when I would hear the buzzzz of the stove timer telling me I was through for the day.
I will never be a concert pianist.
What false dreams, or dreams of others (your mother, your father, your six-year-old self) are you holding onto? Release yourself from them.
Or perhaps you save every newspaper and magazine that crosses your threshold, certain that the secrets to your success can be found within. Or perhaps you have many interests as verified by your massive, dusty book collection.
You'll never have time to read everything that interests you. And, libraries (and good friends) lend books for free!
No need to hang onto the exercise equipment that bores (or sores!) you. Let it go.
Today, I ask that you accept yourself as you are, but also as the better person God knows you can be. Accept your limitations, but strive to be all that He made you to be.
I took piano lessons as a child, at least until my parents grew weary of nagging me to practice. Truth was, I had read a passage of The Amityville Horror and was sure that the pig was watching me through the window on the opposite side of the room from the piano. I remember being relieved when I would hear the buzzzz of the stove timer telling me I was through for the day.
I will never be a concert pianist.
What false dreams, or dreams of others (your mother, your father, your six-year-old self) are you holding onto? Release yourself from them.
Or perhaps you save every newspaper and magazine that crosses your threshold, certain that the secrets to your success can be found within. Or perhaps you have many interests as verified by your massive, dusty book collection.
You'll never have time to read everything that interests you. And, libraries (and good friends) lend books for free!
No need to hang onto the exercise equipment that bores (or sores!) you. Let it go.
Today, I ask that you accept yourself as you are, but also as the better person God knows you can be. Accept your limitations, but strive to be all that He made you to be.
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