At the beginning of each year we promise ourselves that this year will be different, better, brighter, and we will be stronger, wiser and more proactive. Then somewhere in the middle of January, when the holiday trimmings are taken down and we have irrevocably fallen victim to the same old routine and obligations again, we wonder, are we really heading down that bright new path? Why does everything seem like the same old bumpy road and we are cloaked in boredom and frustration all over again.
Then February rolls around and the holiday financial indulgences make themselves known, and you realise it will take you until summer to recover. Well hell, and there is still Easter coming up. Now here we are in March, with the world in absolute political turmoil, AI seems to have taken over the workplace and has invaded the creative arts as well, and the weather, let’s not go there shall we? With all the rain that has created havoc in the Iberian Peninsula and the snow storms elsewhere around the world, I have to wonder whether we shouldn’t have six seasons instead of four per year. The asian version of just two seasons – rainy or dry – make so much more sense than the prolonged winter or absentee spring.
I look outside my window everyday in the hope that the walnut tree and fig trees will soon explode in the gorgeous fresh green foliage that usher in the milder weather and all the flowers in the field. Alas, the tree branches remain sadly threadbare and I am still wearing thermal leggings and fleece jumpers indoors! Even the cats are grumpy, not at all interested in playing outdoors, and one cannot really fault them either. Who wants to get all soggy and muddy, not to mention there are no birds to chase yet.
Having lost my internet for more than 10 days now, I have had plenty of time to reflect on life in general, and catch up with some much needed serenity, albeit always in pursuit of wisdom. During one of my daily meditations I stumbled upon a phrase that seemed perfect for some spiritual spring cleaning: discern, decide, discard, devote.
Take a good look at your life, workplace, emotional state and spiritual wellbeing and take stock of everything that is important relevant to your present and what you have outgrown or outlived. It’s time to declutter your soul and rid your life of everything that no longer makes you smile, feel fulfilled, or motivates you to get up in the morning to face a new day.
Discern about your life as if it were a cabinet. Be brave enough to open the doors and sort through everything that you have accumulated over the years. Be brave enough to let go of the past, and retain only a few tokens for sentimental reasons. I’ve been going on about this since the beginning the year, and I will remind you that hanging on to habits and values from the past that no longer serve us in the present is detrimental to our peace of mind.
Decide who and what you want to focus on, how you can restructure your life to find more joy, peace, and fulfilment. If you have spent your entire life in service of others, then it is high time to prioritise yourself.
Discard the clutter and the toxic energies in your life. Walk away from people and places that stunt your growth and clip your wings. It is never too late to start over. Stop feeding yourself the same old excuses that there is no time, this has to be done, that has to be finished, XYZ has to be informed. Take away all those layers and find out who you really are or want to be without those burdens. It’s easier than you think, but you have to let go and take the first step in the right direction – for your sake, not someone else.
Once you have decluttered, you can then devote your time, energy, light, love and spirit to everything that makes you happy and bring you peace. Who cares what the family, colleagues or neighbours will say! It’s your life. Wake up and embrace spring!
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