Why Be Good When Your Best Isn't Good Enough?

Clutter we all have it. A book I was reading described clutter as "every encumbrance and that which so easily entangles us". Wowzers I'm in trouble. There is so much I have let into my life in the ways of papers and clutter I cannot even move around my apartment or through my storage space downstairs.

Tomorrow I shall seek to reduce what I have so when those who I know come over they can visit without tripping over all I have collected over the years (and quite truthfully what my parents have collected for me). I downsized twice before moving into my apartment, but still there is all this STUFF I just don't need. Books from courses I have kept only because I liked a page or it helped me to feel smart for an accomplishment or 2 along the way during my education; clothing I haven't worn in over a year and truthfully only have because someone gave them to me and I don't want to offend; gadgets I might use some day (oh no I'm sounding like my father and grandfather... can I claim genetics on this slight struggle?).

There are also, I hate to admit it, vices I have all over my place. Pictures of girlfriends long gone; books I only have to look smart (I confessed that already); magazines from hockey and technology; school and government material over 8 years old; papers upon papers of useless facts. Tomorrow I shall be visiting both dumpster and recycling bins for most of the day and I celebrate about the idea of freedom from the unnecessary in my materialistic past and the opportunity to experience the joy of SPACE. To down size and move in my room again - what an awesome, amazing thought. :)

Was last year a waste? I gradded; fumbled my way through a job as I created my dream job; ended the year realizing I didn't lay a big enough foundation onto my dream job (I merely lived as though I was doing my first month getting acquainted with the job); I struggled with being a friend to those who needed one (and if you are reading this I am truly sorry!); I fumbled with my finances - every month I ended with zero dollars.

This year I have a new motto - I am ready to be surprized by the unexpected or better phrased I want to expect the unexpected. My character does have to shift (as do my eating habits - I realized that this morning as I found out my mother's scale isn't too far off). One of my favourite passages tells me I have to love others because I have been loved FIRST. There is no time for apathy, I must embrace change. I have to not only build the foundation I failed to build in my job, but now I have to start making sure there are roots there too (sorry John I'll start emailing reports). I cannot let the circumstances going on around me be excuses for non-action (broken computers, piling reports/assignments, one friend demanding on me, another I have to chase down, events not going the way I planned them - cummon THIS IS LIFE).

I have people who have stood by me this past year and I have no idea why they did. I thought I was ready to move past certain situations of stupidity and found new ones. I thank those who had patience with me and I am thankful I have the faith and understanding to not give up.

I received this cute ideal for the new year. Read it. If you don't believe in God sorry if it offends, but try to read it anyways and read around the "God" quotes.

AS WE BEGIN 2008

Some thoughts to guide us during this new year....

1. Faith is the ability to not panic.

2. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you pray, don't worry.

3. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home every day.

4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.

5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.

6. Do the math. Count your blessings.

7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.

8. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me.

9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.

10. Laugh every day. It's like inner jogging.

11. The most important things in your home are the people.

12. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.

13. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.

14. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.

15. We do not remember days, but moments. Life moves too fast, so enjoy your precious moments.

16. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle -- it only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.

17. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.