Comments on: Limiting Distractions–clutter http://thepracticaldisciple.com/2008/06/limiting-distractions-clutter.html The discipleship guide to christian spiritual growth Fri, 20 Apr 2012 23:13:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: admin http://thepracticaldisciple.com/2008/06/limiting-distractions-clutter.html/comment-page-1#comment-765 admin Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:14:11 +0000 http://thepracticaldisciple.com/?p=36#comment-765 Jane one of the biggest keys to this experience was that I resisted working ahead and made myself do one bag and only one bag a day. The only exception I made to that was when I realized I was going to be visiting my parents for several days during the middle of my forty days. I didn't think they would appreciate me throwing out bags of their stuff. So, I doubled up on bags for several days before I left. Anyone I know who has done this and leapt in with the energy of a tornado whipping out a bunch of bags at the beginning hasn't made it to forty. When I felt hungry to do additional bags, I curbed my appetite by organizing for a bit instead. Also, there was something formative about a daily discipline that I have trouble putting into words. It conditioned me to daily look for and eliminate clutter. I've done this three times now and can't recommend it enough. I also have a card in my chore deck called "Sack It" which helps us as a family stay on top of clutter. If you haven't read my posts on the chore deck, I recommend you read my post <a href="http://thepracticaldisciple.com/2009/01/more-god-less-stress-and-clutter.html" rel="nofollow">More God, less stress and clutter</a> and <a href="http://thepracticaldisciple.com/2009/01/some-additional-thoughts-on-the-deck.html" rel="nofollow">Some additional thoughts on the deck.</a> I hope you find these articles helpful. If you try any of these tools, I would love to hear your story of success or struggle. Thanks for commenting Jane. Jane one of the biggest keys to this experience was that I resisted working ahead and made myself do one bag and only one bag a day. The only exception I made to that was when I realized I was going to be visiting my parents for several days during the middle of my forty days. I didn’t think they would appreciate me throwing out bags of their stuff. So, I doubled up on bags for several days before I left. Anyone I know who has done this and leapt in with the energy of a tornado whipping out a bunch of bags at the beginning hasn’t made it to forty. When I felt hungry to do additional bags, I curbed my appetite by organizing for a bit instead.

Also, there was something formative about a daily discipline that I have trouble putting into words. It conditioned me to daily look for and eliminate clutter. I’ve done this three times now and can’t recommend it enough. I also have a card in my chore deck called “Sack It” which helps us as a family stay on top of clutter. If you haven’t read my posts on the chore deck, I recommend you read my post More God, less stress and clutter and Some additional thoughts on the deck.

I hope you find these articles helpful. If you try any of these tools, I would love to hear your story of success or struggle. Thanks for commenting Jane.

]]> By: Jane http://thepracticaldisciple.com/2008/06/limiting-distractions-clutter.html/comment-page-1#comment-762 Jane Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:11:31 +0000 http://thepracticaldisciple.com/?p=36#comment-762 John, I love how you approached clutter! In the past few years our family has been moving through waves of releasing items as we've continued on our path of simplifying our lives and striving to live in a slow, mindful, responsive, responsible, listening way. Your method is beautiful, and connects so simply and deeply with why we would want to clear our clutter in the first place. As I approach another round of clearing my stuff, I will consider how I might work with that sacred process of transformation (40 days) and listening to and for God's voice, and then ... go! Gracias, Jane (a fellow Village Builder) John, I love how you approached clutter! In the past few years our family has been moving through waves of releasing items as we’ve continued on our path of simplifying our lives and striving to live in a slow, mindful, responsive, responsible, listening way. Your method is beautiful, and connects so simply and deeply with why we would want to clear our clutter in the first place. As I approach another round of clearing my stuff, I will consider how I might work with that sacred process of transformation (40 days) and listening to and for God’s voice, and then … go!

Gracias,
Jane (a fellow Village Builder)

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