There are things in your life you are putting up with. We all have them. We call them tolerations and they include the things that annoy us, suck our energy, keep us from moving forward, and rob us of contentment. They're like a low grade fever - we may not feel really bad, but we sure don't feel really good. Get out your journal or notebook and make a list of 50-100 tolerations in your life. I just made a quick list of 23. Trust me, you have at least 50. Think about all areas of your life; home (interior and exterior), work, relationships, finances, machinery/appliances/technology, your spirituality, self care, leisure activities, and health. A squeaky hinge? A sore tooth? Stuff you've been meaning to donate to Goodwill? A misunderstanding you've let go too long? Rank your top five. Where do you want to begin to eliminate?
Think about the cumulative effect of tolerations over time. Even if you have just one, it takes energy to hold on to it. Consider your list and the time and energy that goes into holding onto 30, 50, 100 small and large irritations. Now extrapolate that over time and count the cost of the joy and contentment they sap from your life. This calls for ruthless, relentless, resolute action! You are up against the proverbial brick wall. Knocking a few out to see the life on the other side would be wonderful. Pulling out a keystone that causes a whole section to tumble down would be spectacular! What kind of de-cluttering would allow that tumble down to happen? Here's a paradox about our clutter. It's a lot of good stuff. It reminds us of good times, achievements, and things we would like to do "someday". How about boxes of fabric you are going to turn into beautiful garments and crafts "someday"? How about the books on bonsai gardening or flyfishing you are going to delve into "when you have time"? What about those clothes you are going to lose enough weight to fit into again "soon"? You need to keep it all so it will be there when you are ready, right? Those things represent hope, more and greater achievements, and a life you desire. It's no wonder you make an emotional attachment and have trouble letting go. In the end, you can't do it all and all those things are wishful thinking and good intentions - taking up space inside and out and sapping your energy. It's a double whammy of too much stuff and emotional clutter; everything from distracted thinking to guilt and regret, all rolled together.
Life in the 21st century presents an amazing array of possibilities and great choices. You can have dinner in Paris tomorrow night. You can learn a new language in weeks, talk to people in every corner of the planet in real time, read and study any subject via the internet, exercise your body in a hundred different ways, or schedule yourself and your kids in really interesting, worthwhile activities every hour of every day.
The challenge isn't in making good choices. It is in choosing the BEST things from many, many GOOD things. Get ruthless. Focus with laser clarity on what you really love and want. What is most important and aligns with your values and preferences for you and your family? Clear out the "someday" and make room for "this day". "Now we should live when the pulse of life is strong. Life is a tenuous thing...fragile, fleeting. Don't wait for tomorrow. Be here now! Be here now! Be here now!"
Captivatingby John & Stasi Eldredge EXERCISE: Look at your list of tolerations. - Is there a pattern or theme? - Does it have a pay-off? What purpose does it serve in your life? - What would it mean to you to eliminate it? - How many will you eliminate in the next 30 days? Could you do one a day? One of life's great joys is to BEGIN. Success builds momentum.
Put on your super (s)hero cape and yell "NO FEAR!"
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