Fran Larson

Letting Go Of Old Things: Clearing Up The Clutter And Feeling Happier


Posted: Wednesday, September 16, 2009

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http://www.franniesquotes.com/

What day is it?

Monday, my husband Jim answered.

My eyes were still closed. I could hear Jim scurrying around.

I struggled to bring myself to consciousness so that I could figure out what I was doing today. My eyes finally opened and thoughts began to form.

Then I remembered.it was going to be a stripping day for meyet another one. I did this a while back but I still had things in my closet, in my garage, in the pantry, in nooks and crannies..just things..junk..yuk!

I put on my rattiest pair of shorts and tee shirt and began clearing two chairs out of the living room. Then I went to the office and started tossing books, junk and even some mementos. I realized I didnt need three bookshelves in my house (?) Who does?

Then something happened. I began to feel lighter and more peaceful. The old stuff from the past was making me closed to new experiences. Old books that I would never read again or a piece of furniture that I really didn't like was making me so tired and holding me back.

One of my favorite writers, Guy Finley said: I f we are to stay healthy, happy, and hopeful, we need to learn to overcome our attachment to the past and our fear of the future. If we try to deny change, prevent it from happening, or rail against its inevitability, we will condemn ourselves to lives of dissatisfaction, frustration, and ultimately, stagnation. If you want change and growth in your life, you will need to let go of all the things that you have over invested in and that act as chains against your development.

The more I cleared away old and non-useful items, the better I felt. Then I had a thought.what if I let go of past mistakes, fears, frustrations, old beliefs, guilt, chaos, self criticism. I could even let go of lamenting about not being young any more or my fear of losing money again. (I am going to work so hard on this.)

Back to my story - I gathered up my bags of things to give to charity..my things that I thought were important or that I thought I would need some day. I knew I wasn't through clearing out and letting go but tomorrow is another day.

To change skins, evolve into new cycles, I feel one has to learn to discard. If one changes internally, one should not continue to live with the same objects. They reflect one's mind and the psyche of yesterday. I throw away what has no dynamic, living use. Anais Nin (1903 - 1977)
Francine Larson:

Co-Author of Character Keys to a Bright Future.

She is a freelance writer

See more articles by Francine Larson at:http://www.examiner.com/modern-love-in-tampa-bay/francine-larson

She also writes for The Highlands at Scotland Yards. She writes poetry and short stories.

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