Sunday, January 3, 2010

Day 3 - of 30 Days to a Simpler Life


Declutter Your Emotions: starting with Relationships......

Relationships in your life include your family, friends, co-worker and generally anyone that has an emotional effect on your life . Decluttering in the area of relationships means you are addressing any relationship problems that are complicating your life or causes unnecessary waste of time in unhealthy thoughts about that person.

Keeping healthy relationships requires us to keep in touch with the important in our lives people by in person, phone or email visits. To declutter your relationships, you need to forgive everyone who has hurt you and put full closure to the relationships that are no longer in your life. Doing your part to maintain healthy relationships requires you to speak truthfully, avoid gossiping, and steer clear of criticizing and judging others.

When we've decluttered our relationships, they provide the love and support we need in our lives . Take an honest look at your life. In what areas could you use a little emotional decluttering? What needs to change to help you live your best life and be your best self? The most true statement I have ever heard is, "If I want my life to change, I must change."

Let's take it one step further. "If I want to grow and live my best life, I must grow and be my best self."

Here is a tip on how to resolve any long term unforgiveness or hurts:
1. Write a letter to the person (DO NOT SEND IT) expressing your hurt pain and anger.
2. Read it to a trusted person in your life or read it to God
3. Pray over the letter - releasing that person from any judgement, bitterness or anger.
4. Burn the letter or shred it if you can't burn it.

The feelings may occasionally return but when they do remind yourself and God of the time you released that person and ask for help, change your thoughts. Remember what we said above that "The only one we can change in this life is ourselves and when we do we will be happier and amazingly many times the people around us will change also. Even if they don't we will be ok.

Forgiveness to letting go of a bell rope. If you have ever seen a country church with a bell in the steeple, you will remember that to get the bell ringing you have to tug awhile. Once it has begun to ring, you merely maintain the momentum. As long as you keep pulling, the bell keeps ringing. Forgiveness is letting go of the rope. It is just that simple. But when you do so, the bell keeps ringing. Momentum is still at work.However, if you keep your hands off the rope, the bell will begin to slow and eventually stop.

- Corrie Ten Boom 1892-1983

Proverbs 4:23 - Keep your heart with all diligence,
for out of it are the issues of life.

2 comments:

Beverly Walters Whaley said...

Ok....This is getting deep Auntie K.....But I will coming back for more! I think this is good for everyone...as all of us have some one in our lives that we need to "release"! Check out my blog and be a follower! Love ya! I will work on my letter tomorrow! LOL So that is procrastination isn't it! Signed the "other otter"!

CoachK said...

Hello Ms Otter,
did you get it all figured out? Yes, a little deep but all part of simplifying life. New Year, new good changes.