“I do not at all understand the mystery of grace – only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.” – Anne Lamott
It’s springtime: A return to my rituals of gathering.
Gathering clothes I no longer love (or can wear) to take to the Goodwill. Gathering and tossing the growing junk in our basement and scattered debris in our yard (accelerated this year by intense rains and major flooding). Gathering to-do projects that, just maybe, I’ll get to cross off my list once and for all.
Gathering – yet again – the parts of myself that have gone missing or astray… as in… Re-member-ing.
Despite the moaning and groaning resistance I have to winter’s edgy cold, I do appreciate the season’s invitation to dial it down a notch. The time to gather in a different way: Gathering by our wood stove. Gathering inspiration, words, and images for a blog post I’m writing. Gathering new program offerings and exciting workshop ideas …
Like new life stirring below ground…
Preparing for a glorious return to the light.
Happy spring, everyone!
I think the thing I enjoy most about my SpaceClearing work, is the shift in my heart about how I approach these tasks now. I can lovingly clean or move or organize and not begrudge the time spent doing it. I realize that these “mundane” tasks are good for my world, my home, my soul!
Oh my, yes, yes, YES!
And so beautifully put, Patti. “Mundane” tasks seen from the perspective that you write about are little “miracle” tasks.
This is why I think that housekeeping – done with open-hearted awareness – is nothing short of a spiritual practice.
Thanks Stephanie! Thanks for all you do!
So glad to see you, too, are an Anne Lamott fan, Stephanie
LOVE, love, love Anne Lamott. Love her transparency and heart.
… always real – always uplifting :>)
This post was inspired by one I wrote last year “Gathering Our Self.”
You can read it here if it moves you:
https://www.spaceclear.com/wordpress/?p=3506
Thanks again for all your comments everyone!
You’ll give your stamp of approval for my project today Stephanie… arranged with a friend with an outdoor stove to have a little paper clutter burning party…The shredder hasn’t been doing enough. Maybe will post a pic on facebook..I’m already feeling lighter (and less vulnerable with less personal info floating around the landfill.)
Certifiably awesome, Lynne! Yes, do post a photo. If you feel like sharing it and your experiences on my SpaceClear Page on Facebook that would be awesome too! Maybe I will even blog about it 😉
As you can tell I love sharing what other people are doing to clear their homes and lives… and that lightness they experience. Rituals are very powerful!
beautiful