“I can see clearly now. The rain is gone. I can see all
obstacles in my way.”
I’m feeling clearer. Depression is abating and the
sensation of decluttering is comforting and welcome. I feel the anticipation of
good things waiting in the future and I’m experiencing a gentle acceptance of events
of the past. Now is what matters most
and I am noticing the timelessness of the ‘now’. I can hardly remember what day
it is, and, when 4:00 arrives, I am amazed at the passage of the time and at
how much I engage during my day!
Ultimately we are each in search of happiness. We strive
for safety, satisfaction and joy. How we access that joy is often challenging. “How
do I have fun?” “What do I want to be when I grow up?” “What has meaning for me
in my life?” “Where do I find that meaning?”
Viktor Frankl’s book Man’s Search For Meaning
suggests clearly that our very survival often depends on having a purpose for
living. During his years as a Jew living in concentration camps, including Auschwitz
for a few years, Frankl observed that those people who recognize meaning in
their life tend to survive the misery and trauma of life in the camps more
often than those who have lost purpose. A loving relationship (wife, husband,
child, friend, etc), an idea for a book to write, pursuit of a career, being
alive to ‘tell the story’, all constitute meaning for individuals. Meaning for
living comes from within. Once established and identified, chances for survival
increase.
Generally, in our western world, we are conditioned to look
for answers externally. Media, television sitcoms, Hollywood movies, pop music,
advertising generally influence the ways we choose to live. What we wear, when
and where we wear it are often determined by conventions. The ‘shoulds’ and ‘should
nots’ frequently guide us in making decisions. “I should go to university
because that’s what my parents expect.” “I’m 30 years old. I should have a baby
already!” These influences often interfere with our own pursuit of personal bliss.
“Should we go to the party?” is often the question instead of “Do I want to go
to the party?”
The answers to these questions ultimately lie within each
of our selves. Asking the right questions is the path to finding them.
For me, I feel smart enough, with rich and varied life
experiences. I’m a good, loving and compassionate person. I trust that I have
the answers to the questions that keep me unsettled. I continue to search and
remain open, and I find peace as I seek love within my own heart. Clarity
appears because my boundaries become established. The boundaries remain soft,
appearing as cottony mountains…not solid walls. They are flexible, breathable
and gentle. They provide safety and security.
Yes…de-cluttering is what I’ve been doing to achieve
satisfaction. Prioritizing, breathing and letting go of things and
relationships that don’t serve me well also is taking place. It allows me to
think less and focus on what matters most… finding my own delight.
