| If I have to pinpoint the most important resolution to | | | | private space( which includes the space your have |
| make for the New Year,it would be this--finding ways | | | | cultivated in your relationship with God/Spirit.) It is |
| to de-clutter my life. Stress as we know it does not | | | | also important to understand that creation of any |
| only come in the form of mental anguish. Much of it | | | | kind affirms our relationship with our Creator. And |
| is experienced through the clutter we have in our | | | | whatever it is that you wish to create, be it money, |
| daily lives: unnecessary commitments that are | | | | fame, achievement or the one ultimate creative act, |
| standing in the way of doing what we really want to | | | | your work will be that much more meaningful when |
| do. What we need to learn is how to de-clutter our | | | | you place it within the grace of the Creator. |
| lives so that the road to what we really want | | | | Now the elimination of clutter becomes easy. What |
| becomes clear. | | | | can we identify as clutter? Do you need to make |
| Most of us have a vague notion of what we want; | | | | another trip to the mall? What about the nightly hour |
| but being able to define it clearly is another matter | | | | before the television set? Taking on extra hours or |
| entirely. Do we want money, fame, achievement? Do | | | | extra responsibilities to please the boss? The less |
| we want to create something that we feel proud of, | | | | than necessary party invitation? |
| a legacy that we can leave behind as the one | | | | There are responsibilities we cannot eliminate, |
| ultimate creative act we can strive towards and | | | | however. The children's hockey games and music |
| materialize? | | | | lessons. But there is a way to "renovate" this clutter |
| And even if we have our goal defined, we are often | | | | as well. How about bringing your project to the |
| side-tracked from it by the countless details in our | | | | hockey rink and creating private space there? |
| lives. A goal or project demands time, uncluttered | | | | Bringing your project to the waiting room of doctor's |
| time and this is the most significant aspect of | | | | offices, music lessons and making private time there? |
| creating. You need space and time. Private space and | | | | It was the time I had during my son's weekly music |
| private time. If there is a dream or vision you are | | | | studies in Toronto that allowed me the private space |
| re-visiting on a regular basis, then it is time to make | | | | to complete a book. |
| this dream a reality. This means it is time to | | | | The most debilitating excuse we can have is that we |
| de-clutter your life, give yourself the private time you | | | | have no time to pursue our dream. We hear that |
| need to make that goal possible. | | | | often enough. But if we put our mind to the task, |
| How do we de-clutter our lives? Get rid of things and | | | | we can find some precious private moments in the |
| activities that do not a) create a bond between you | | | | clutter. And if we give thanks for these moments, |
| and your family b) encourage or enhance your | | | | they will be appear more frequently in our lives. |