Friday, February 20, 2009
Victim or Victor?
Yesterday I watched my favorite sort of Oprah rerun, a show about how to declutter your entire house in 6 months. But what I appreciated most was a certain thought they shared, one which for eons I've reminded myself:
You may not be able to control the chaos which is going on outside your home, but you can control most of the chaos on the inside.
For me, those words spell encouragement and hope. I may not be out there making huge changes in the world, but I am in here, inside my house, making small changes which make me feel better, calmer and more in control of my life.
I'm rearranging my pantry, making more space for the items I am stocking-up. The more food and etcetera I tuck inside there, the more efficient and prepared I feel for emergencies. I'm giving away clothing and clutter in order to help others feel more cared for (and so I'll feel less crowded). I'm painting walls and furniture to feel more at home within this new home of mine and we are better insulating it so to feel warmer and save money while using less energy.
You know, that sort of thing.
We can deplete our personal energy complaining about the Times in which we live, or we can aim that strength toward making changes.
Always, there will be changes we can make within our own homes. We need not feel helpless or hopeless there.
******
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23 (Don't allow a bunch of fear, hopelessness and worry to get in there!)
Just because the world is falling apart, doesn't mean I must.
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Fabulous post, Debra!
ReplyDeleteI saw Oprah yesterday. I really like that Peter Walsh. :)
Beautifully said.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
"You may not be able to control the chaos which is going on outside your home, but you can control most of the chaos on the inside."
ReplyDeleteHere! Here! We all need that on the wall, in needlepoint, don't we? Maybe one, in every room of our home actually. What a wonderful sentiment and always so true.
Aunt Amelia
"Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings."
~Jane Austen
Lovely post!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of time travel day.
My vinyl Artie Shaw always wisks me away.
And you're so right.
Even the simpler times had their hard times.