I've said it before: I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!! I love the whimsy. I love the joy. The carols. The thoughtfulness of others. And, I do love presents....But let's STOP buying and giving STUFF!
This week, I listened in on an interview my wonderful step-daughter, Coco Fossland conducted with Sue Rasmussen on Clearing the Clutter. This just seemed such relevant timing. Letting go of stuff... of physical stuff.... of old stuff that no longer "fits" figuratively -- and literally -- of relationships, of beliefs.
Wow! During the call, I expanded my notion of what clutter was and realized how very much of it I have. I've often told my real estate coaching clients that cleaning out their overfilled filing cabinets makes room for new clients to show up (and have seen the results of that act happen!). I know balancing the checkbook and taking incredibly good care of other integrity issues, cleans up issues that suck energy and keep us stuck. The call inspired me to go into 2010 with much of that clutter cleared -- I'll be giving stuff away, completing relationships, choosing to let go of those responsibilities that no longer make my heart sing... really questioning before I say yes to something if it fits with who I want to become. I plan to quit doing things just because I am good at them if they aren't a fun and growing place to be. I'm excited about the lightness I already feel. I will not live in the fear of what will happen when I say no to the things that I am just doing from the old me. I will trust myself and the universe.
And this all fits in with my yearly rant: most of us don't need more stuff. My mantra for this time of the year... for my present giving is to create memories instead of clutter. Don't get me wrong - I am not saying I won't gratefully accept and joyfully give presents but I want those gifts to be relevant. I am making my lists.... creating some fun! Last year I took the kids and grandkids to Los Cabos for a week. It was granddaughter, Julia's first trip to the ocean. She had never seen the beach and was a bit reluctant to walk in the sand in her bare feet! She did get over it before the week was done and was running gleefully. What a joy to be part of that!
Here are some ideas:
- Make something! I do family calendars personalized with dates and photos. And, my prickly pear jelly!
- Give a certificate for a shared experience. Maybe a concert or day at the zoo. Or a limo for viewing the holiday lights and a dinner or picnic after!
- Give a certificate for your time. A day of babysitting or cooking a gourmet dinner or a handyman day. I gave a monthly lunch delivered to my elderly uncle a few years ago
- Re-gift. Someone else may love a gift that wasn't right for you.
What have you done or what ideas do have? The best thing you can do this time of the year is to take care of yourself and have fun with others. Saying NO when you don't really want to do something is also a strategy to free you up to really enjoy the things you DO want to do!!!
I hope the month will be an amazing one! It is up to YOU!!!
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