“Iron rusts from disuse, stagnant water loses its purity, and in cold weather becomes frozen; even so does inaction sap the vigors of the mind.”
— Leonardo da Vinci
This quote paints a vivid picture. Without action, we became stagnant and live life without meaning and purpose.
With the start of the New Year, many things have been written about meaning, purpose, passion and goals. So let me ask. Are you happy? Are you living a meaningful life? And what is a meaningful life to you?
For me, writing, my nieces and nephews, and chocolate give my life meaning. I’m joking about the chocolate. Okay, not really. Chocolate is pretty necessary in my world.
I’m always fascinated with people I meet who are unhappy with some part of their life but act like victims. Their unhappiness is always someone else’s fault so therefore they can’t control it or change it. I’ve been there myself before, and it’s easy to feel sorry for yourself, blame everyone else and become paralyzed. At some point, I realized I had to make a change or lose my sanity.
In the work I do, most of the people I meet are at a crossroads of some sort. When someone is asking for help from a professional organizer, it’s because they want to change some aspect of their life. Granted, not all of the organizing clients I meet are asking for life-altering change. They just want less stress, less headaches and less stuff.
There are a few who have struggled most of their lives with the burden of disorganization, clutter and hoarding tendencies who want to change. A client decided to clear the clutter in her home because she’s tired of making excuses for why people can’t come over to her house. She has been incredibly enthusiastic about it, and it’s an honor to witness and help with her transformation.
One thing I’ve learned mostly the hard way is if you never attempt to change your circumstances, your life will be the same.
So let me ask again. Are you happy? Are you living a meaningful life? What is a meaningful life to you? If you’re not sure, journal about it, create a vision board to see what comes up, or work with a life coach.
Change is scary. Change is hard. If you want it, it’s worth it. I promise.
