Living Clutter Free ...

This one isn't going to require much in the way of an intro ... if you know me, you know I tend to clutter.  Anywhere, any time, for any and all excuses (um, Christina is calling them "seemingly logical reasons" ... could she be on to something here?!). 

Let's dive right in, shall we?  {do you see how I'm stalling here? I'm asking for your commitment to join me!}  .  And then, THEN, once I hit "publish post" ... I am heading OUT of my office, AWAY from this computer, and TACKLING some of the clutter I now have major ISSUES with ... LOL.   Awww, come on:  laugh with me here, friends.  {photo shows my desk, 2009 - it does have a much smaller stack now, but still, a stack, nonetheless.}

--  Davielle

SO HERE GOES {with my random comments included, in this color right here ... dark charcoal gray ... am I procrastinating, or what?!} :
9 Seemingly Logical Reasons We Cling to Clutter


by Christine Kane


"Perfection is not when there is no more to add, but no more to take away."   – Antoine de Saint-Exupery


A retired man once told me he loved going camping with his wife because camping showed her how simple life can be "without all that bloomin' stuff she keeps everywhere!"


He's right!



Our lives are meant to be simple. Our intuition and creativity thrive when given freedom and space. Clutter is a disease. {I was afraid of that ...}  Each moment we ignore the reasons we hold on to things we don't want, those things rob us of energy, health, and clarity.



If you're a clutter-clinger, be kind to yourself.  {oh, good, she's giving me permission to cut myself some slack & be kind to me. }Begin with an awareness of your thoughts and excuses. For starters, read over this list to see if you can find YOUR excuse!


Clutter Excuse #1: "I'd be a bad mean horrible person if I…"


Guilt is heavy gooey energy that convinces us we're bad people if we let go of heirlooms, knick-knacks, unwanted clothing, or unwanted gifts.


These items clutter up our lives and keep us in a comfortable – but draining – place. And conveniently, we never have to decide what we actually do want in our environment. We become environmental victims. Often, that spreads out into other parts of our lives too!



Clutter Excuse #2 - "I spent so much on it!"


Do you punish yourself for having made a bad choice by keeping the item around? Or convince yourself that you're going to get your money's worth – even if it drains the hell out of you?

You won't. And it will.

We've all done stupid things. And we've all had to let them go. Now it's your turn.


Clutter Excuse #3 - "I might need this someday."


I often wonder how many idle telephone cords exist in the world. Way in the back of old desk drawers. Stuffed on closet shelves. They can't be gotten rid of.


Why?


Because we might need them some day.


Evidently, some day - in spite of technological progress - you're going to need that particular grey phone cord that came in the box with a phone you bought in 1989. {I know, but ... oh, okay. point well taken!}



Throw it out. Now.


Same thing goes for: The broken fax machine, switch plates from your first house, and every glass flower vase that came with deliveries. {uh, oh, guilty as charged here.}


Clutter Excuse #4 - "I might do this someday."


I know. I know.  {see, she knows me - she really really knows me.}


Someday you'll take those broken pieces of china you've collected and create a beautiful mosaic birdbath. {Oh my goodness, Christine knows about my broken pieces of china box - the one I "intend" to have Karyl help me make into a beautiful mosaic birdbath someday?!   And you think I'm kidding here, right?  NOT. }  And you'll go through those stacks of magazines and make that collage for your sister's 30th birthday party. (She's 51 now.)


Now – I don't mean to deny you your plans and dreams. However, I urge you to consider experiencing the infinite relief that appears when you let old project ideas go.  {consider the possibilities !!!}


Call your sister and tell her the collage ain't gonna happen. Buy a mosaic birdbath from an artist who makes her living from creating such treasures.


And then, make space for what you want to do. Don't fill your space with what you should do.


Clutter Excuse #5 - "I gotta look good to my guests."


CD's. Books. DVD's. Are these items treasured? Or are they simply a prop so your guests will be impressed by your intelligence and diverse tastes? {and here I thought I wanted them because I wanted to impress MYSELF with my eclectic music and movie taste ... dang, Christine's good at calling our bluff, huh?}

Remember this: we are motivated by two things: Fear or Love. Which of these keeps you clinging to items because of appearances?


Clutter Excuse #6 - "I Don't Know Where It Goes."


When items don't have a home, it's harder to determine whether or not they are clutter. Some things may seem like clutter - like the cute card that your daughter made that floats around from drawer to drawer - but they're not clutter.


They're homeless.


Once you start defining spaces for items, then it's easier to see when something doesn't fit anywhere and should just get tossed.



Clutter Excuse #7 - "My thoughts don't have any power. Do they?"

Everything has energy. The thoughts you have about the things in your home CREATE energy. If you are surrounded by stuff you keep out of guilt, then your environment holds guilt. If you hang on to stuff given to you by your ex, and you still feel bitter – then there is bitterness in your home.


Get it?  {getting it, getting it, getting it ...}

It's either fueling you, or draining you. Some things might be neutral, of course. But if anything triggers you, then that is your barometer. Let it go.


Clutter Excuse #8 - "But I never wore it!"

See Clutter Excuse #2.


Clutter Excuse #9 - "There's too much stuff!" 
{isn't that the whole point here ???}

Overwhelm can stop us in our tracks. {I once learned, in a Wendy Freer workshop called CLUTTER CLEARING, that "perfectionist" usually means one who is often overwhelmed by the task ahead simply because they SO want to "get it done right."  Fear of doing it "imperfectly" or "incompletely" can stop us - yes, I said US - cold.  And all this time, I thought that being a perfectionist meant one who always does things perfectly!  NOT.}  If this article makes you aware that there are lots of items in your life you don't like, then go slow. Schedule small chunks of time each day. It takes time to be clutter-free! But the newfound clarity and lightness are worth it!


WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?  {yes, very much ... }


Please do! Just be sure to include this complete blurb with it:



Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her 'LiveCreative' weekly ezine with more than 11,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FREE subscription to LiveCreative at http://www.christinekane.com/ .



WANT TO SEE HUNDREDS MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE?


See Christine's blog - Be Creative. Be Conscious. Be Courageous - at www.ChristineKane.com/blog .



Thank you, Christine. I needed this more today than any other day this week. 
 
To learn more about WENNDI FREER, with whom I once took a 2-day CLUTTER CLEARING workshop right here in Encinitas, California, you can find it here:
 
http://www.spaceclearing.com/html/practitioners/north-and-south-america/sobi2Details/North-and-South-America/Wenndi_Freer

Just As I Am

Take a quick trip over to my other blog, I AM PRINCESS MAGPIE  http://iamprincessmagpie.blogspot.com  to see a great post (borrowed from Andrea Schroeder) ...

It says a lot, A LOT, about body image. 

-- Davielle

Going on Retreat ... AN ARTFUL JOURNEY, here we come !!!

{If you click on the link / title above, you will be taken right to the page that introduces the Retreat I am going to with Ann Deakers, February 18 - 22, 2010.  Although OUR Retreat has been sold out for months & months & months :-), there is also AN ARTFUL JOURNEY Retreat scheduled for July 18 - 22, 2010 -- and registration for that Retreat is now OPEN.}

SO ... what does this mean, exactly?  We've all heard the word "retreat", and in several contexts.  Right?

I found it interesting, and a bit shocking, that the definition that I usually attach to the word RETREAT is ... barely defined by Webster's {my mother's old Webster's is the one I use, dated 1956 and bound in leather} ... I define RETREAT as a ... getaway to a place where one is focused intently on ... relaxing, or learning something new, or spending time doing something we love to do -- as in "a spiritual retreat", or "an art retreat" ...  I even think of "a board retreat", as in ... when an organization's Board of Directors meets annually "on retreat" so they can be intently focused on ... their Mission.  

Isn't that what most of us think these days, when we hear the word RETREAT ???

I would venture to say, though, that my father, Frank - a World War II veteran -- would automatically think of ... the "real" definition of the word Retreat:

"to withdraw; 1.  act of retiring, or withdrawing, as from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable.  2. a place of seclusion, privacy, safety, or resort; a refuge; asylum; hiding place; den.  3.  an asylum for insane persons, inebriates, etc.   4. (had to do with aeronautics)    5.  The withdrawal, esp. when forced,  of troops from the presence of an enemy."

THOSE are the definitions that I think ANY military veteran would ascribe to the word "retreat".

I, however, did find one last, almost hidden, definition in Webster's that I can work with:

"To make a retreat; to withdraw."

AND THAT, my friends, is what an ART RETREAT means to me {as would a spiritual retreat}.  For one to "make a retreat" {ie, to leave behind their everyday life for a period of time, to just get away}.  To "withdraw", certainly, from our everyday responsibilities, and worries, and life. 

Ann and I are about to "withdraw" from our lives in San Diego to spend 3 full and artful days with artists KELLY RAE ROBERTS { http://kellyraeroberts.com/  } 

{ Kelly Rae ... and Kelly's hands .. from her blog }

and MATI ROSE McDONOUGH { http://www.matirose.blogspot.com/ }, who are co-teaching our workshop at AN ARTFUL JOURNEY, where we will create a "Funky, Chunky Coffee Table Book".  You can imagine my excitement to actually, finally, be taking a workshop from the mixed media artist that started me on this mixed media "adventure" I have been on:  Kelly Rae.  I have art in my home from both Kelly Rae and Mati Rose, and it inspires me daily.

{ my "whole-hearted" elephant from Mati Rose McDonough ... 2009}

For me, an ART RETREAT means ... focused and relaxed time with like-minded friends where we just ... get & stay CREATIVE, where it's expected that we will get MESSY, where we are sure to have fun, and for me, it's a place where I find a lot of grounding, and even spiritual growth ... because my passion for art and creativity is something that comes from my SOUL.  I have found that the friendships created in art classes or workshops are some of the most amazing in my life.  ART is the common denominator that brings us together, and no matter how disparate the rest of our lives might be from each other's, it just Does. Not. Matter.

The beauty of AN ARTFUL JOURNEY, for me, is that it is being held on a "campus" known as THE PRESENTATION CENTER ...

in Los Gatos, California.   Click here to see what I'm talking about: http://www.anartfuljourney.com/retreats/presentationcenter.html

And I would be remiss if I did not mention CINDY O'LEARY, the fearless organizer of AN ARTFUL JOURNEY.  All her hard work is about to come to fruition, and I know that I speak for all the Retreat-ants when I say "thank you, Cindy".

What I am especially looking forward to, besides the art and the new friendships to be forged over the time we all spend together, is that it seems that The Presentation Center ... is mainly used for SPIRITUAL retreats -- a place of serenity, beauty, stillness, and plenty of Mother Nature.  The history of THE PRESENTATION CENTER can be found via this link:
http://www.presentationcenter.org/About%20Us/history.html

Right there on their website, is this comment: 
"Escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Take time to communicate more clearly and deeply with your colleagues."

 And that, my friends, is exactly what the word RETREAT means to me.

I dedicate this post to my beautiful friend Ann, to whom I am ever grateful for the gift of  her friendship, for the role she has  played in my ... blogging; in my discovery of mixed media; and for encouraging me all along the way of my Creative Discovery Journey.  I love you, Ann, and I think you are the most amazing woman! 

We'll be back on Monday evening .. you can expect a mighty long post after I return, with plenty plenty plenty of "visuals".

--  Davielle

the Garth man cometh ...

... to Warwick's Books in La Jolla. 

That's right, friends.  Garth Stein, author of THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN (starring Enzo, the narrating dog), was in town.

Six of us that enjoy Bunco together (this is our 4th year already!) decided to pay Garth and Warwick's a visit and were we ever treated to an incredible evening.

Garth treated us to plenty of humor, some poignant moments, and three (yes, 3) separate readings from the book.   ENZO came to life for me in a way I had not expected ... although just reading the book, I thought, made Enzo very "real" to me.  Somehow, when an author really BREATHES his work, and BELIEVES in his character/s, it makes a huge difference.

{photo:  CCI pup-in-program FRANCIE, with her co-raisers Lyn Comunale and Vickie Stone - and Garth Stein}

If you don't know ENZO yet, run right out - RIGHT OUT - and grab a copy of THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN. Seriously. It's a NOT-TO-BE-MISSED book. Trust me.  {or just click on the link here to head over to Amazon}

Hands down, the very best author reading/signing I have ever attended.  Bar none!

Woof!  Woof! ('cause "2 barks mean FASTER" !!!)

-- Davielle

A Beautiful Day

There is an old Japanese saying ...

"Let the past drift away with the water."

A couple of Sundays ago, Mark and I took a late-afternoon hike at Torrey Pines State Park.   I have been visiting TPSP since I was a very very little girl. 

{sister Francia, brother Jay, and a young Davielle}

I have fond memories of hiking through a trail that has been closed for years & years now ... it was known as "Fat Man's Misery", and with good reason.  Anyone out there remember that trail?!

Fortunately, Mark and I have made our life right here in Encinitas - just a few freeway exits north of my hometown of Del Mar ... so Torrey Pines is still just about 12 minutes away from home.   We are also blessed to have our red & cream sandstone canyon here on our property, with some wonderful Torrey Pine (tree) specimens of our very own.

{one of several Torrey Pines in our canyon}

But when we need a relaxing and mind-altering hike, we always head to Torrey Pines, the State Park ... the real deal.

If you're visiting from out of town, I can assure you, with all certainty, you do not want to miss TORREY PINES. Even better - invite me to join you there and we can have a new memory to share!

The photo below was taken on 1/24/10 by me, at Torrey Pines State Park, and when I read the quote about letting the past drift away with the water ... I flashed on this image ... you can just feel the power of the ocean, and you just KNOW inside that your worries can be taken out on the tide.  

It sure gives me a very peaceful feeling ...

--  Davielle

National Handwriting Day - Oh My !!!

Wow, who knew? Not me, that's for sure. But thanks to the PAPER SOURCE calendar pages that I inserted into my beautiful Kelly Rae Roberts 2010 ORGANIZER, I now know ...

Today is, apparently, NATIONAL HANDWRITING DAY. I just had to look that up, being a lover of words, and a lover of things handwritten. And having recently enjoyed perusing a vintage AUTOGRAPH BOOK that my friend Ann Deakers now owns ... it's full of charm.

So I GOOGLED it and here's what I found:

National Handwriting Day is "celebrated" on John Hancock's birthday, "to encourage more legible handwriting". Problem is, there are some (quite reliable) sources that place John Hancock's birthday on January 12 (1737), and not on the 23rd, but let's not quibble.

Here's a quick reminder of just how lovely & legible the old John Hancock signature really was:

The signature of John Hancock on the Declaration of Independence is the most flamboyant and easily recognizable of all. It is, then, no surprise that the story of his part in the revolution is equally engaging. Few figures were more well known or more popular than John Hancock. (courtesy of www.ushistory.org )

Pentel of America is celebrating National Handwriting Day 2010 with a CONTEST ... Describe how you declare your independence, what independence means to you, in 500 or less handwritten characters and submit to Pentel of America. Five (5) people will be chosen by Pentel and given their own Independence Day. See Pentel's website for contest rules and information:

http://pentel.com/handwriting_day_rules.php !

And here's a link to the FOUNTAIN PEN NETWORK (again, I never knew such a thing existed; did you?!):

http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=5152&pid=252256&start=&st=#entry252256

The FOUNTAIN PEN NETWORK site has links to cool handwriting stuff.

If you want to have a little fun with this whole handwriting business, you can visit an online HANDWRITING ANALYSIS site, such as:

http://www.handwritingwizard.com ... they offer a free "personality analysis". Hmmm.

or

http://www.handbehindtheword.com/SelfEval.shtml

And last but not least, these fun ideas for how YOU and your CHILDREN can celebrate National Handwriting Day, courtesy of www.ehow.com ...

Bake a Cake for JOHN HANCOCK and share it. Have everyone SIGN THEIR NAME with frosting on top first !!!

Check out a book from the LIBRARY on handwriting and have fun analyzing your friend's signatures, as well as your own.

Learn a little bit about John Hancock and the Declaration of Independence.

Have everyone you know and love sign a page for your scrapbook. If you have an old-fashioned AUTOGRAPH BOOK, all the better !!!

Handwrite a letter to someone you love who lives far away (or even just around the corner) and sign it with a big beautiful signature !!!

Enjoy National Handwriting Day, everyone, and remember:

"Never believe that any document you sign

your name to is unimportant."

-- Davielle

HAPPY NEW YEAR ... and a note about my Sabbatical

Friends ...

yes, I have been LONG absent from my blogs ... this one, and also my Princess Magpie blog. I consider it as "taking a sabbatical", but I do apologize for not posting my intention to do just that.

Most of you know that I struggled with near-daily MIGRAINE in 2009 ... roughly 70% of my time was spent battling one, medicating one, sleeping one off, or wandering about in a bit of a daze from the effects of one. It was, needless to say, a ROUGH year.

With the continuous help of a good neurologist group, and my rheumatologist as well, we seem to be making progress ... I'm down to about 50% of the time with Migraine, which is a huge improvement. But we're not going to stop until it's well in hand, as they say. (although I'm still not sure, after 51 years, just who "they" really are ... LOL)

All that said -- I thank you for your love, your support, your prayers, your encouragement, and for those of you who have said that you actually MISS my blog posts ... my gratitude, my appreciation, and my love to you all.

I'm back -- at least, that is my intention.

Happy New Year, and I hope you'll visit my blogs regularly as I become engaged once more with a means of communication that I think is amazing -- the world of blogging.

Your --

Davielle