I read this awesome post from Ali Edwards at the start of the year. Be sure to check out the links as she explains it really well
My word for this year is
BREATHE
I chose it because I am focusing this year on decluttering and simplifying. I want to be enjoying life and I am certain that the process I am going through is going to enable me to do the things that I want to be doing. I realise just how important it is to stop and breathe. To think before I act and to slow down and take in all the things around me.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Present box
We were invited to birthday party on the weekend and I had the chance to use my birthday box so I thought I would share what it is. I love giving gifts even something small. While I like to personalise it for the person I am giving it to, sometimes they are on the spot invites so I thought I would get better prepared to save the stress. I have a box that I keep little gifts for different events: baby, children, female, male. I also grab a large roll of wrapping paper from office products stores that suits all including Christmas if I can. Every so often I spy bargains that I add to the box. I am also building up presents for Christmas for the boys. I do need to make a few more cards to add to it though.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Where have I been?
I have been quite absent of late. I have had several things that I have wanted to post but haven't quite got here. Then I read a blog in passing where someone had been taking a break and related the story of the rocks. You know the one? There are several variations of it.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly, picked up a very large and empty jar and start to fill it with rocks. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up the box of pebbles and poured it into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the rocks. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous yes. The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. 'Now' said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things - God, family, children, health, friends and favourite passions. Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the things that matter like your job, house, and car. The sand is everything else. The small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for life. It you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. 'I'm so glad you asked'. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'
So as the blogger said "I am taking care of some of my rocks". I discovered that I needed to take out a lot of sand to do this. My main thing being clearing my space and finishing tasks that I have begun so I can do what I really want to do. It has taken alot longer than I thought it would. I am nearly there.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly, picked up a very large and empty jar and start to fill it with rocks. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up the box of pebbles and poured it into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the rocks. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous yes. The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. 'Now' said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things - God, family, children, health, friends and favourite passions. Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the things that matter like your job, house, and car. The sand is everything else. The small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for life. It you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. 'I'm so glad you asked'. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'
So as the blogger said "I am taking care of some of my rocks". I discovered that I needed to take out a lot of sand to do this. My main thing being clearing my space and finishing tasks that I have begun so I can do what I really want to do. It has taken alot longer than I thought it would. I am nearly there.
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