Simplify! It's Good For The
SoulBy: Laura
Turner
Simplify! Simplify! Is the message
of Henry David Thoreau in his beautiful book Walden. In it, he writes of giving
up all his worldly belongings and traveling to the woods of Massachusetts to
build a cabin, live from the land and meditate. We do not have to go to this
extreme to become close to nature, of course, but what I love the most about Thoreau's
message is his summary in this most profound statement: “A man is rich in
effort to what he can afford to let alone.”
Think about this
idea for a second. Does its clarity ring through to you? To me it says:
Simplifying is good for the soul. What's more? I believe simplifying is also an
important key in keeping your energy purified and in so
keeping
your body and soul pure, as well.
With this in mind:
as we head into summer here in upstate New York – I can think of no better time
to roll up my sleeves and shed the old to make room for the new. The reality
is, it is hard work. Yet, I'll make it simple for you if you are ready to
simplify, too. Here’s three ideas to help keep your process enjoyable and
spiritual.
Take It Slow:
In my book Spiritual Fitness: The
7-Steps to Living Well, I liken closet cleaning to soul cleansing. To me it’s
the exercise and meditative process of letting go that creates space for the
beautiful fresh and new. This goes for the garage, as well any other cluttered
up nook or cranny of the home.
Make it easy on yourself, begin by taking an hour
at a time and simply looking through what you have. Next, when you are
inventorying
your space ask yourself – What can I let go of? What
kind of space can I create in my life for something new? What am I hanging onto
that if I let go of would allow something better to come along?
What Serves Me?
When you examine each item in question, ask
yourself how it is useful to you. I
often say out loud to the universe: How does this (suit, pair of shoes, stack
of papers) serve me? If I can give myself a reasonable answer, I keep the
item, if not – it gets discarded. It’s just that simple.
Affirm: I
Already Have Everything I Need:
The universe provides. In essence we
already have everything we could possibly need. I can remember as a child going
to a friends house to play and their Christmas tree was still standing square
in the living room – it was the middle of summer! Imagine what message this was
sending to the universe? As you clear your space, continue to affirm:
God provides. I already have everything I could possibly need.
Assignment: Clean Out Your Space
In you mind, mentally section off your home. I like to do this by
rooms, sometimes corners if there’s lots of stuff in them. If there’s a space
where you have harbored items make this its own section. Now take one section
at a time and take inventory. Take time to look at each item then decide if it
serves you. If not bless the item and let it go.
If you find
the item does not serve you or you are unsure, keep it. Put it in a box. When
the box is full go through each item once more. Next, tape up the box, date it
for exactly one year from the present date. When the date comes due, throw the
box away or donate the items. Finally, remember this is a constant process. And
although you'll never need to give up all your worldly belongings and live
like Thoreau, keep renewing your space; expect something new
and wonderful to show up for the old. I think you'll be amazed at what comes
along to take its place.
About the Author: Laura Turner is a
natural health practitioner and author. She hosts www.beauty-and-body.com
and publishes the New Body News and Wellness Letter, The Online Magazine Healthy
People Read. ( www.new-body-news.com ) Subscribe for
f.r.e.e. and receive her Special Report: "Take Charge of Your Health!" and check out her
latest book: Spiritual
Fitness!
SoulBy: Laura
Turner
Simplify! Simplify! Is the message
of Henry David Thoreau in his beautiful book Walden. In it, he writes of giving
up all his worldly belongings and traveling to the woods of Massachusetts to
build a cabin, live from the land and meditate. We do not have to go to this
extreme to become close to nature, of course, but what I love the most about Thoreau's
message is his summary in this most profound statement: “A man is rich in
effort to what he can afford to let alone.”
Think about this
idea for a second. Does its clarity ring through to you? To me it says:
Simplifying is good for the soul. What's more? I believe simplifying is also an
important key in keeping your energy purified and in so
keeping
your body and soul pure, as well.
With this in mind:
as we head into summer here in upstate New York – I can think of no better time
to roll up my sleeves and shed the old to make room for the new. The reality
is, it is hard work. Yet, I'll make it simple for you if you are ready to
simplify, too. Here’s three ideas to help keep your process enjoyable and
spiritual.
Take It Slow:
In my book Spiritual Fitness: The
7-Steps to Living Well, I liken closet cleaning to soul cleansing. To me it’s
the exercise and meditative process of letting go that creates space for the
beautiful fresh and new. This goes for the garage, as well any other cluttered
up nook or cranny of the home.
Make it easy on yourself, begin by taking an hour
at a time and simply looking through what you have. Next, when you are
inventorying
your space ask yourself – What can I let go of? What
kind of space can I create in my life for something new? What am I hanging onto
that if I let go of would allow something better to come along?
What Serves Me?
When you examine each item in question, ask
yourself how it is useful to you. I
often say out loud to the universe: How does this (suit, pair of shoes, stack
of papers) serve me? If I can give myself a reasonable answer, I keep the
item, if not – it gets discarded. It’s just that simple.
Affirm: I
Already Have Everything I Need:
The universe provides. In essence we
already have everything we could possibly need. I can remember as a child going
to a friends house to play and their Christmas tree was still standing square
in the living room – it was the middle of summer! Imagine what message this was
sending to the universe? As you clear your space, continue to affirm:
God provides. I already have everything I could possibly need.
Assignment: Clean Out Your Space
In you mind, mentally section off your home. I like to do this by
rooms, sometimes corners if there’s lots of stuff in them. If there’s a space
where you have harbored items make this its own section. Now take one section
at a time and take inventory. Take time to look at each item then decide if it
serves you. If not bless the item and let it go.
If you find
the item does not serve you or you are unsure, keep it. Put it in a box. When
the box is full go through each item once more. Next, tape up the box, date it
for exactly one year from the present date. When the date comes due, throw the
box away or donate the items. Finally, remember this is a constant process. And
although you'll never need to give up all your worldly belongings and live
like Thoreau, keep renewing your space; expect something new
and wonderful to show up for the old. I think you'll be amazed at what comes
along to take its place.
About the Author: Laura Turner is a
natural health practitioner and author. She hosts www.beauty-and-body.com
and publishes the New Body News and Wellness Letter, The Online Magazine Healthy
People Read. ( www.new-body-news.com ) Subscribe for
f.r.e.e. and receive her Special Report: "Take Charge of Your Health!" and check out her
latest book: Spiritual
Fitness!
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