My husband grabbed one end of the five foot cardboard box & I the other. We attempted a few different ways to shove it into my 4-door 2005 Honda Accord.
"It's not going to work," he asserted.
"No. I think I can get it," I countered.
I ran to the opposite side - attempting one last maneuver to cram it into my backseat.
"Gosh darn stuff!" I grunted as I invested my last bit of energy.
Finally! The box cleared the door frame & landed on my seat... sideways.
My husband affirmed the obvious, "You know it's just going to all fall out when you pull it out?"
"I know," I sighed.
I drove the car to the grassy yard sale site a quarter mile from our home. In an attempt to spare my poor husband from any more of my great ideas related to this venture, I decided to transport the box from my car & up a small hill.
Surprisingly, it wasn't too difficult to slide it out the door. 'Phew' I thought. 'This shouldn't be too bad.'
Within seconds, clothes started to pop out the top - now side - of the box as it puckered & buckled. All of the clothes I painstakingly folded into nice, neat piles according to type melted into a jumbled soup on the sidewalk. Not only was it fabric that lie on the ground - it represented wasted money, wasted time, wasted opportunity.
I wanted to cry.
Not because the clothes were becoming dirty. Not because my organization & planning went to waste. Not because my husband could gloat about being right. And not because of the woman parked nearby who stared at me blankly as I contorted myself to save the contents.
I felt defeated by my own insatiable desire to acquire so much stuff. I burdened myself with this debacle. I got myself into this mess. After 2 years of simplifying, clothing is my last hurdle.
I spent a few hours upset about the situation. Until I came to a realization - a remembering.
This is a painful reminder of why I should never let it get to this point ever again.
It never would have been enough. The stuff never made me truly content, & I blindly continued to search for happiness in acquiring more.
The truth is that I am enough just as I am - no more but definitely with less.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
The Girl Makes the Clothes (Project 333)
Early one morning as I hurriedly prepped my four year old daughter for the day, she began to meltdown.
"My skirt isn't sparkly," she sobbed. "I won't be beautiful."
I quickly searched my mental files for how best to handle this - ignore it & continue readying ourselves or stop for a teachable moment. I opted for the latter.
"Big girl... Do you know what truly makes your outfit sparkly?" I asked.
She looked at the floor, then me, & responded curiously, "No."
"Your spirit makes you sparkly - when you're friendly, generous, adventurous, happy,... That makes you beautiful big girl."
This resolution seemed to calm her in that moment, & we still revisit the concept from time to time.
"My skirt isn't sparkly," she sobbed. "I won't be beautiful."
I quickly searched my mental files for how best to handle this - ignore it & continue readying ourselves or stop for a teachable moment. I opted for the latter.
"Big girl... Do you know what truly makes your outfit sparkly?" I asked.
She looked at the floor, then me, & responded curiously, "No."
"Your spirit makes you sparkly - when you're friendly, generous, adventurous, happy,... That makes you beautiful big girl."
This resolution seemed to calm her in that moment, & we still revisit the concept from time to time.
* * * * *
I recently began a challenge called Project 333 (www.TheProject333.com) - the concept of a wonderful simplicity writer named Courtney Carver. In short, you only utilize 33 items in your wardrobe for 3 months. For more specifics, please check the website.
"Why?" You may ask. "What's the point?"
I was raised to be a shopper - a bargain hunting fashionista. I consumed mountains of magazines selling clothes & accessories that would make me beautiful & attractive. Subconsciously, my self image & my clothing became intertwined.
As I become more confident in my true self, I realize that fancy outfits, kick butt shoes, & designer labels have absolutely nothing to do with true beauty & attractiveness.
My spirit makes me sparkly - my friendliness, my generosity, my sense of adventure, my attitude,...
I make my clothes. My clothes don't make me.
Therefore, I can wear the same 33 items repeatedly in different ways, & it shouldn't make any difference whatsoever.
My wish for my daughter (& myself) is to not equate self worth with the material that covers our spirit. It took me 33 years to grasp this concept so she has a 29 year head start thank goodness ;^)
Monday, April 15, 2013
Leap of Faith
In 2011, I seized the opportunity to travel solo to Bali, Indonesia. I envisioned staying far from tourist spots. I used Bali-Homestay.com - a family run business in the Tabanan region. Their website promised airport pick-up, room, all food, tours, hikes, bikes, cultural lessons, and more for an extremely reasonable price.
I had one of the most unique & wonderful experiences I've ever had. Everything they promised they delivered - with a smile. I was the only tourist that I could see, & I always felt safe, respected, & comfortable.
People repeatedly ask, "How did you find them?" I reply, "I typed 'Bali cultural exchange' in the search box, & it was the first and only thing I found." Inevitably, the next question is, "How did you know they were legit or safe?" My response is, "I didn't."
I trusted these strangers half way around the world with my life, & they provided everything plus more. They were not out to cheat, hurt, or lie to me.
When I recount my adventures, people often bristle at the idea of trusting so many strangers - fearing the worst. In fact, it's quite the opposite.
Because I trusted these individuals, I hiked through rice paddies, biked through native villages, learned how to make offerings, visited temples, ate delicious, home cooked meals, & interacted with real, local people. I truly had a paradigm shift based on these interactions.
Between my ability to trust & intuition, I have happened into an ever growing pool of new friends & amazing adventures. Start local or start global, either way, the world is full of genuinely good people waiting to be met.
* I have countless examples related to this topic. I will write more on it because I am that passionate about breaking the fear & distrust of others.
* Please feel free to share in the comments if you've had similar experiences. I'd love to read & share them.
*** Also, if you enjoy my writing, please feel free to share the link. I am unsure if I will continue writing due to low levels of readership - despite my joy of writing. Thank you for reading, & I look forward to many more.
- Sasha ***
Leap of Faith
In 2011, I seized the opportunity to travel solo to Bali, Indonesia. I envisioned staying far from tourist spots. I used Bali-Homestay.com - a family run business in the Tabanan region. Their website promised airport pick-up, room, all food, tours, hikes, bikes, cultural lessons, and more for an extremely reasonable price.
I had one of the most unique & wonderful experiences I've ever had. Everything they promised they delivered - with a smile. I was the only tourist that I could see, & I always felt safe, respected, & comfortable.
People repeatedly ask, "How did you find them?" I reply, "I typed 'Bali cultural exchange' in the search box, & it was the first and only thing I found." Inevitably, the next question is, "How did you know they were legit or safe?" My response is, "I didn't."
I trusted these strangers half way around the world with my life, & they provided everything plus more. They were not out to cheat, hurt, or lie to me.
When I recount my adventures, people often bristle at the idea of trusting so many strangers - fearing the worst. In fact, it's quite the opposite.
Because I trusted these individuals, I hiked through rice paddies, biked through native villages, learned how to make offerings, visited temples, ate delicious, home cooked meals, & interacted with real, local people. I truly had a paradigm shift based on these interactions.
Between my ability to trust & intuition, I have happened into an ever growing pool of new friends & amazing adventures. Start local or start global, either way, the world is full of genuinely good people waiting to be met.
* I have countless examples related to this topic. I will write more on it because I am that passionate about breaking the fear & distrust of others.
* Please feel free to share in the comments if you've had similar experiences. I'd love to read & share them.
*** Also, if you enjoy my writing, please feel free to share the link. I am unsure if I will continue writing due to low levels of readership - despite my joy of writing. Thank you for reading, & I look forward to many more.
- Sasha ***
Friday, April 5, 2013
Blank Slate
Last night, I walked into my home at 11:15pm after a whirlwind 48 hour business trip. Everyone was asleep. I was exhausted from a flurry of awesome adventures - personal & professional.
The house is already minimal with furniture, clean, & smells of hyacinth I bought for Easter. All my daughter's toys were put away, my husband's electronics were simply slid back into their place, & not a dish was in the sink.
Ahhh... 'this is my blank slate' I thought. The place I come to recharge. I return to my self & my family - my priorities. It's the foundation for the life I choose to lead - ready for anything.
I'm not tied down by maintaining unnecessary belongings or cleaning knick knacks. I simply maintain what we truly need & possessions we value. I'm not visually or mentally distracted with belongings that really do not matter.
At first glance, some may think our home a bit sterile or lifeless. I see a completely different picture. On this blank canvas, we can paint any scene we choose. My daughter can put on an impromptu dance show. We can have a full blown soccer game. I can whip out my laptop with piles of paperwork for business. We can host 10 people in our modest townhome for a party. I'm also untethered to maintenance so I can plan my next adventure.
Our home is a template to live in. It does not define us. We define it.
The house is already minimal with furniture, clean, & smells of hyacinth I bought for Easter. All my daughter's toys were put away, my husband's electronics were simply slid back into their place, & not a dish was in the sink.
Ahhh... 'this is my blank slate' I thought. The place I come to recharge. I return to my self & my family - my priorities. It's the foundation for the life I choose to lead - ready for anything.
I'm not tied down by maintaining unnecessary belongings or cleaning knick knacks. I simply maintain what we truly need & possessions we value. I'm not visually or mentally distracted with belongings that really do not matter.
At first glance, some may think our home a bit sterile or lifeless. I see a completely different picture. On this blank canvas, we can paint any scene we choose. My daughter can put on an impromptu dance show. We can have a full blown soccer game. I can whip out my laptop with piles of paperwork for business. We can host 10 people in our modest townhome for a party. I'm also untethered to maintenance so I can plan my next adventure.
Our home is a template to live in. It does not define us. We define it.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Your Happy Place
I can tell you where to find happiness.
It's already hidden inside you.
It's hidden by clutter, physical & mental.
You will not find happiness in that new pair of shoes or that bag of chocolate or that trip to Tahiti. It cannot be bought, made, eaten, collected, or traveled to.
The more you remove, the more you will uncover the spirit you've been attempting to embellish with the unnecessary.
Find wellness from the inside-out, & your true self will make that simple outfit pop or that beach sunset perfect - not the other way around.
Unclutter your happiness, dust it off, & let the light brighten your way.
It's already hidden inside you.
It's hidden by clutter, physical & mental.
You will not find happiness in that new pair of shoes or that bag of chocolate or that trip to Tahiti. It cannot be bought, made, eaten, collected, or traveled to.
The more you remove, the more you will uncover the spirit you've been attempting to embellish with the unnecessary.
Find wellness from the inside-out, & your true self will make that simple outfit pop or that beach sunset perfect - not the other way around.
Unclutter your happiness, dust it off, & let the light brighten your way.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
It's The Little Things
1) A load of laundry
2) A spare tram pass
3) A friendly smile
4) Holding a door
5) Giving directions
6) A list of contacts
All of these things may seem small to you, but to another, they could mean...
1) One less chore after arriving home from a long trip
2) Easy access to transportation in a foreign country without converting currency, finding a ticket machine, & translating another language.
3) A sense of comfort in an unfamiliar setting
4) Relief to a mom struggling with a stroller & crying baby
5) Sparing a lost soul from wandering around an extra hour
6) A link to a much needed job
Everyday, I'm amazed at the power we have to affect the course of someone's day, or more, with simple actions.
You don't have to end world hunger or achieve global peace, but you can be like a pebble tossed in water whose rings spread far beyond its initial impact.
2) A spare tram pass
3) A friendly smile
4) Holding a door
5) Giving directions
6) A list of contacts
All of these things may seem small to you, but to another, they could mean...
1) One less chore after arriving home from a long trip
2) Easy access to transportation in a foreign country without converting currency, finding a ticket machine, & translating another language.
3) A sense of comfort in an unfamiliar setting
4) Relief to a mom struggling with a stroller & crying baby
5) Sparing a lost soul from wandering around an extra hour
6) A link to a much needed job
Everyday, I'm amazed at the power we have to affect the course of someone's day, or more, with simple actions.
You don't have to end world hunger or achieve global peace, but you can be like a pebble tossed in water whose rings spread far beyond its initial impact.
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