I awoke today ready to go charging into this new month. I was making lists, thinking of closets I needed to clean out and things I needed to do before I even got out of bed. I love the idea of launching a project on the first of the month. There’s something so satisfying about that to me. Now, ask me again on the 5th or 10th and I’ll tell a different story. But today, the world is my oyster.
My first thought was to extend and enlarge my intermittent purging efforts– cleaning out the stuff that doesn’t serve me anymore and making space. So the closets were my first line of attack. The trappings of my past self — suits, silk blouses, formal slacks — still consume a large part of my closet, though neither I nor anyone else wear that stuff anymore, especially out here in the casual work capital of the world. But letting go feels like giving up my baby blanket. It seems so permanent. It’s like accepting that the corporate “gal” may be a past self who had her day in the sun but isn’t coming back. My consulting wardrobe is far more flexible and fun, anyway.
For now, these once beloved items have been relocated to a plastic storage box. If I don’t open the box for three months, it’s all going to a recovery center which helps female-headed homeless families get back on their feet (and help Mom get back into the workforce). As I write that, I’m reconsidering my timeline. Undoubtedly, there’s a sister out there who could really use those nice blouses and suit jackets to boost her morale and give her confidence to find a job right now. Hmm, food for thought.
After I finished my purge, I got sucked into Facebook where I stumbled upon my real October Project. I saw a list of the Dalai Lama’s 18 Rules for Life! How can I go wrong writing about one of these each day for the next 18 days? I love the lessons and the perspective he offers about what makes life meaningful. Love, risk, living honorably, forgiveness, and so much more worth thinking about and trying to incorporate in my life. Certainly worth pondering.
Curious to see what’s on the list? Join me on the ride starting tomorrow…
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Boonedoggler 