Feb 13 2010
My Friday quote comes from Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth, pg 161.
The beginning of freedom from the pain-body lies first of all in the realization that you have a pain body. Then, more important, in your ability to stay present enough, alert enough, to notice the pain-body in yourself as a heavy influx of negative emotion when it becomes active.
This is such an amazing book, well worth the read.
Jan 31 2010
This post is a reprint
I was rereading some of my old posts, reflecting on how far I’ve come with my websites, writing and efforts to help others heal and I came across this one. There are so many moments in life when we face challenge, pain and doubt. There have been many moments when I felt others judging my life. It was during that time when I wrote this post. It still holds true and I hope it will touch my readers and remind them to take a step back and reflect, rather than make a quick judgment on those in their lives.
A degree of sensitivity is necessary when we make judgements on situations and people in our lives or those we encounter in our day. We never really know the space from which another is coming and despite appearances we need to to take a deep breath and realize life isn’t necessarily the perfect picture it may seem. I think at times people judge situations and circumstances without realizing in any way the depth of the situation or the complexity involved. I’m certain I have done the same thing without realizing it.
So next time someone’s life seems ideal to you or easier than your own, take a step back and think again. Everyone has their challenges, responsibilities and pain to bear. It isn’t always as it seems.
Feb 09 2009
Hope By Anadelmann Flickr
Today through a reader comment I learned of a wonderful, supportive website for those who have a home filled with extreme clutter as well as those in need of support for obesity. Catherine, the reader and creator of this website, http://www.nurturinghope.com has a wonderful and inspiring story about her own life and experiences with extreme clutter and obesity. She has created a forum for others struggling through these challenges and has created a warm supportive site of assistance for those in similar circumstances. Her website is nicely done and is filled with wonderful tips, stories and experiences.
Feb 08 2009
This is truly life changing and amazing. I know three specific people who live with extreme clutter and according to Peter Walsh a surprisingly large number of American families live in similar chaos. Peter did a show with Oprah in October. What I took from this show is the possibility of REAL LIFE CHANGE for these people. When Peter went into these unsuspecting people’s home it was obvious they were paralyzed with the uncertainty of HOW TO BEGIN. They had created situations in their home that were so overwhelming that they just allowed it to spread further becoming out of control chaos.
Peter Walsh was AMAZING. He is focused and has a plan. He gave some excellent tips and ideas for those who are living in that kind of clutter. Actually his ideas are excellent for EVERYONE, even those of us with a single closet or drawer that needs attention. To view Peter Walsh’s website take a look at this link.
His first plan of action with homeowners was to look around the room and have the owner assess how they feel about the clutter and their home. Then Peter started with two bags, black for trash, blue for recycle and with a stop watch set for ten minutes they attacked one cupboard. Peter basically stated to the homeowners before they began, “if you haven’t touched it in 12 months you need to think about letting it go.” So with Peter and the stop watch I watched as they cleared out an entire kitchen cabinet filled to the brim with cups, glasses and a multitude of children’s drink cups and amusement park drink cups. Many were recyclable and within six minutes Peter and the home owner had restored organization and neatness to the cupboard and they were left with a bag of trash and a bag for recycling.
He said it is key to keep like things together, that goes for glasses as well as clothing or office supplies. He stated that as consumers if we don’t keep things together we continue to buy the same things over and over because we simply forget about having a previous one. So when the cupboard was complete all tall glasses were together, juice glasses together, wine glasses together, etc… I was both impressed and interested to share what I saw with those in my life who live in this extreme clutter. As Peter mentioned when you are living with such clutter it doesn’t allow other things into your home or life and that homes really reflect the state of our lives. What does your home say about you and your life? If you would like to see the video and photo clips and read more about Peter’s Clutter Control check out the following link on Oprah’s site.
Even I, simply a viewer was ASTONISHED at this quick and effective transformation. Six minutes! We all have six minutes for goodness sake!
