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Thanks for visiting my blog. Hope you find some helpful hints for organizing your time and space. My passions are to help you make home a refuge instead of a crisis center, and to help you function in peace rather than chaos - at home or at work. I have switched my main blog to 1-2-3 ... Get Organized on WordPress, so please visit me there.



Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Intentional Contentment - An Antidote to Clutter

   
Sometimes when there is something lacking in our lives, we soothe ourselves with "retail therapy." Why does it feel so good to go out and spend money to fill up those holes in our lives? But that feeling is short-lived, and we're left with the clutter.

So what should we do instead? We can decide to be content! Even though there may be hard things going on in our lives, there have to be things for which we are thankful, too! 

Did you know that naming those things for which we are thankful each night at bedtime is more effective than seeing a therapist?

Here are some ideas to get you going:
- People in your life, now and in the past, who have been a positive influence.
- Events in your life that have had a good impact in your life (even if they were difficult to endure).
- Material provisions - housing, food, clothes, furniture, etc.
- Your gifts and talents. Be happy you can use them to enhance your life and that of others.
- Your job, if you have one, even if it's not your #1 choice.
- Your health, if applicable. It doesn't take long to look around and see someone who is in worse physical condition.
- Ways in which you are rich.

Even if life is very difficult for you right now, there must be things for which you are thankful.  

By choosing to be content, you're less likely to go out and buy things that will end up cluttering your house because your contentment doesn't come from things.


More on contentment:

5-Minute Stress Relievers - Change Your Attitude

Think Positively

5-Minute Stress Relievers - Music: The Great Stress Reliever