A LIFE LESSON: Burn your candles and use your good china

Erma Bombeck wrote in her last book, If I Had My Life To Live Over –

“I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage”.

As an organizer, I probably spend 75% of my time coaching clients on how and when to let go of their stuff. I teach them that things they no longer love, use or wear are merely taking up both physical and mental space. In the midst of a large down-size move-out/move-in project this week I realized something... a lot of the things that people tell me they love are also being kept for special occasions. After packing and moving two china cabinets full of crystal and entertaining china, I realized that something that had taken up 18 boxes was only going to be used at Christmas or when an event came along that was considered a special occasion. I think it’s time to use the china. Why do we wait to use something that is so beautiful for a special day? Aren’t we special? Shouldn’t we surround ourselves with things that we love, evoke fond memories and look way better than the chipped plate we’re currently using? And what about those candles? You know the ones, filling those drawers. It’s time. Tonight – order a pizza, get out the china, fill up a crystal glass with some wine and light those candles! Live in the moment, for today is a special occasion.