HMMMM:The Mystery of the Key

I am a 'flow keeper'. I believe the main reason our homes, offices and cars get full is because 'the flow' has come to a dead stop. One in, two out - ALWAYS. Which brings me to the mystery of the key. The other day I took inventory of my key ring: house key, car key, husband's car key, my inspirational tag which reads, "Don't wait for your ship to come in. Row out to meet it." and the key. What was this key for? And so the mystery began... I tried everything and everyone to see what this key opened. Then in a quiet moment, I knew. The key opened my family home in Victoria where I grew up. The thing? The house had been sold in the spring of 2001. They key had stayed with me as a subtle memory - the flow had stopped as the memories had not. It's ok, and we all must give permission to hang onto those 'things' that bring memories... but there will come the day to let them go. Today I am on my way to visit my family in Victoria, seeing them is far more valuable than the key. Today the key comes off my key ring. The mystery is solved.

THOUGHT: Point well taken

Last weekend I had the rare opportunity to do the one thing that I love to do when I truly stop.  For two hours I got to sit alone in the sunshine with a fresh pile of new home magazines. Feeling the heat and turning the pages made for a wonderul afternoon of new ideas, colours and rejuvenation. While looking at the beautiful pictures of a simple, modern home in California... I read the caption that had been written by the home owner at the top of the page, "If you want no clutter in your life - stop shopping." At first read, I thought 'that's a little harsh'. At second read, I really took in what the words were saying.  My job is to help people get rid of clutter.  Clutter is the reason I have a job. Clutter pays my bills.  That said, having and maintaining a clutter-free home has to do with flow. Flow in and flow out.  The glass of water theory states: "If you continue to add water to a glass, it will over flow".  Same thing is happening in our homes. Most people think the answer is to drink some water or dump some out.  Or simply take a box of  things out of your home.  But soon the clutter makes its way back.  What happens if we flip that theory around.  Why not stop adding water?  Why not stop bringing things into your home? Why not stop shopping?  Of course not for the things we need to live life - toilet paper, food, etc. - but for the things we don't need in our lives - the fourth pair of black pants, the tenth coffee cup, etc.  Don't blame it on the clutter. Instead, take responsibility for creating the clutter. I know there aren't fairies who wait until we're asleep to bring in those new items. We bring them in.  So next time you're out and about, stop shopping for those things you don't need.  Just stop and maybe the clutter will too.  It was definitely a point well taken.

STAY ORGANIZED: Read the fine print

My car insurance was due yesterday. About a month ago, ICBC kindly sent me my reminder notice in the mail. Normally I would enter the date into my calendar and be done with it. Three days before the due date, my calendar alarm would remind me that my car insurance was due... but this year, I took a moment first to read the form. I would say probably 95% of my clients struggle with their paperwork. Deadlines are missed, payments are late and events come and go because people just can't seem to stay on top of their flow of paperwork in and out of their lives. I know we all complain about the high cost of insuring a car in this town, but I had to smile when I read the fine print on my reminder notice and realized that some of that money was going to helping us all stay organized. Right near the bottom of the page in fine print, it read: Don't let this disappear under a pile of paperwork. Cut out the slip below (had the renewal date on it) and stick it on your fridge. The moral of the story: read the fine print (it might help you to remember to pay your car insurance)!