Spirituality Information

Spiritual Spring Cleaning, Making Room for More


Do you ever get into those moods where you just can't stand to look at clutter anymore and start filling garbage bags? Maybe it's Spring Fever, but I have a deep desire for simplicity lately. Not just in my physical surroundings, but emotionally, professionally, and spiritually too -- I have been "purging" the unnecessary from my life.

This is a difficult process, because while certain things are no longer serving me, they did at one time. There is a bit of nostalgia attached to these things. It's like saying a permanent goodbye to old friends. Many of us tend to cling to the familiar, even if we don't enjoy it or benefit from it anymore. We get stuck in rut after rut, afraid to let go of what we have, because even though it's not great, at least it's ours.

However, the problem arises when we pray for better circumstances, but we don't make room for them. It's like asking the universe to fill our glass with sweet lemonade when it's already crammed full of sour lemons. We need to remove the lemons, wash out the glass, and then specify exactly what we want that glass to be filled with. We've all heard the phrase, "nature abhors a vacuum." This works on a spiritual and emotional level too. When you eliminate the clutter from your surroundings (inner and outer), the universe will rush to fill that space. Fill it with what, you ask? That all depends on your intent.

What do you want to create in your life? Give some thought to these areas:

  • Physical -- are your surroundings cluttered with books you've read (or intend to read), papers that need to be filed or disposed of, clothing that no longer fits you (or suits your taste), and items you don't know what to do with? Do you find yourself involved in activities that have become a burden? What about your job? Are you fulfilled by your daily professional activities? At the end of the day, do you feel a sense of satisfaction or boredom?

  • Emotional -- are you clinging to relationships and situations that no longer serve you? Are you feeling burdened by "baggage" from your past? Are you holding grudges against those who have wronged you? Are you stuck in negative, self-destructive behaviors?

  • Financial -- what does your budget look like? Are you struggling to pay your bills each month? Do your monthly expenses usually exceed your income? Do you have a lot of unnecessary expenses for things you could easily live without?

  • Spiritual -- are you held back by childhood conditioning, or letting others define your spiritual beliefs? Have your spiritual practices become nothing more than the act of reciting a few words by rote once a week? Do you feel an inner emptiness, sadness or hopelessness?
You have it in your power to change anything you don't like. Keep in mind it is a process though, you won't change all of it overnight. Make a list of the items from above. Write down anything in your daily existence that is no longer bringing you joy -- and eliminate it. Ouch. I know that's a hard thing to consider doing. Even though these things no longer serve us, we still feel fearful about releasing them. Work slowly if you have to. One baby step at a time!

Start with the physical clutter first, as that is one of the easiest problems to remedy, and one that often causes us to feel confused and stagnated. Go through your house one room at a time and be ruthless in your cleaning. Toss out anything you don't need, and neatly file away things you must keep. Be honest with yourself. If you haven't used something in the past year, what are the chances you'll need it again in the near future?

Once your physical surroundings are cleared, you'll probably find yourself feeling inspired and able to tackle the larger (and more difficult) emotional, financial and spiritual clutter. This is also a process, so be patient with yourself. Take your time, but be just as ruthless as you were with the physical clutter. If it's no longer serving you, say a tearful goodbye and pitch it.

What do you want to replace these things with? It's crucial to be absolutely clear about that before you begin this process. Otherwise you might end up with different, yet still unfavorable, circumstances. Think about the categories above, and ask yourself what you really want to create there. Write it down, and read it to yourself every day. State it aloud to the universe. Ask for it. Affirm it. Welcome it.

Will these new circumstances fall into your lap, fully formed? Some may, yes. Some might require a little elbow grease from you, and that's okay! Just keep working toward what you want. The process is quite enjoyable once you release your fear and immerse yourself in the experience.

Think of it as a sacrificial process. Decide what you really want, and then ask yourself what you're willing to give up to get it. Don't let fear hold you back. Know that what you release will be replaced with something much, much better.

Wendy Betterini is a freelance writer and web designer who strives to motivate, uplift, and inspire you to make your dreams a reality. Visit her website, http://www.WingsForTheHeart.com for more positive thoughts to help you on your journey.


MORE RESOURCES:

Examiner.com

The spiritual tragedies in Obama's choice of Pastor Rick Warren
Examiner.com - 5 hours ago
by Saniel Bonder, SF Spirituality Examiner Most people aren’t thinking a whole lot, right now, about the Pastor Rick Warren/Obama Inauguration controversy. ...


PennLive.com

Day 3: Oprah's Best Life Week - Spirituality
CBS 4, FL - 15 hours ago
Next up - how to be enlightened through spirituality. "I know that this whole life experience here is really a spiritual adventure," said Winfrey. ...
Spirituality 101 – Job, Money, Family – Oprah’s Best Life Week on ... Best Syndication
Oprah's Best Life Week continues with spirituality advice, Suze ... The TV Guy
Appearance on 'Oprah' steels woman's faith The Patriot-News - PennLive.com
WGAL - Oprah.com
all 8 news articles


San Carlos honors Geronimo's courage, spirituality and intellect
Arizona Silver Belt, AZ - 7 hours ago
Unfortunately, very little has been publicized, which portrays the human side that embodied him with courage, spirituality and intellect. ...
REZ ISSUES AND FORUM: Poverty Vs. Community Development -Part 2 Arizona Silver Belt
all 2 news articles


Los Angeles Times

A closer, faster walk with thee
Los Angeles Times, CA - 20 hours ago
Publishers and pastors are serving up God on the go via books, e-mails, even podcasts for busy Americans hungry for spirituality. By Duke Helfand So you're ...


The Age

Transcript: Oprah panel on Larry King Live
CNN International - 21 hours ago
He is the spiritual adviser to Oprah. He will be a guest on Oprah's Best Life week tomorrow. How is Oprah fitting spirituality into all of this? ...
Oprah's Best Life Week Begins On CBS4 CBS 4
Oprah Winfrey Embarrassed By Her Weight NewsBlaze
Oprah's New Year New You for her and us Examiner.com
CBS 4
all 164 news articles


Scripture baking blends spirituality and cooking
nwitimes.com, IN - 20 hours ago
BY MARIA NOEL GROVES Most modern bakers probably don't associate The Good Book with pulling together a batch of their favorite treats, but during the late ...


Business Partners Love Stories, Spirituality of Show
The Epoch Times, NY - Jan 5, 2009
What Mr. Ranvaska appreciated most about the show was the spirituality of the stories. “Really, if you listened carefully, you got the meaning and the ...
Artist: It Is 'very spiritually uplifting' The Epoch Times
Music Producer: A Feeling of Serenity, a Type of Spiritual Nirvana The Epoch Times
Human rights lawyer: ‘a combination of history and spirituality in ... The Epoch Times
The Epoch Times - The Epoch Times
all 91 news articles


Science and spirituality
Express Buzz, India - 6 hours ago
“This is as much about spirituality, the inner space, as it is about what’s outside. Do we need spirituality in an age of Science? Yes, we do. ...


JESUIT SPIRITUALITY NOW TAUGHT ON TELEVISION
Catholic Online, CA - Jan 6, 2009
Fr Gallagher is an expert on St. Ignatius of Loyola's Rules for Discernment and how these core insights stimulate our spiritual growth today. ...


Artist, formerly LDS, finds serenity in human form
Park Record, UT - Jan 6, 2009
Instead, what Dabakis got was a stately conversation on art and spirituality. "It was a terrible interview," he laughed. "Trevor is really apolitical. ...

Spirituality - Google News

home | site map
© 2006