Start a business. Love my family. Hang out with friends. Write a letter. Solve all the problems of the world.
Plant a garden. Take up a hobby that doesn’t involve Netflix and a bag of chips. Listen for the voice of God. Listen to the person talking to me. Exercise, sleep, eat my vegetables.
All the things I want to do in a day, all the things that are good.
In order to do the things that matter, the first step is to make the space. I need to make room in my soul, schedule, and physical space. Room to breathe, think, cultivate and grow.
I have to clear out thoughts, habits, behavior, commitments, and physical things that don’t belong and aren’t beneficial. That’s obvious. What’s a bit harder is to separate the good from the best and be okay with doing the best and saying no to the rest.
I used to think it was about efficiency – if I’m just efficient enough, I can and should cram it all in. But now I know that’s not the case. It’s kind of like organizing my house – sometimes I don’t need another organizational system or bin or shelving unit – I need to declutter and throw away so I can see what I value the most and then make a comfortable place for those most treasured of things.
Get rid of the clutter. Simplify and clarify. Make space for things that matter. Make space for God, people, love, truth, peace.
What are the things you can and maybe need to let go of (to stay sane, to not fall apart or spin out of control) to make room in your soul, schedule, and space? Consider making a list and giving yourself permission to start letting go of those things so you can find and grow the things you truly treasure. It’s time to start a new season of intention, presence, and richness: all of the things you are made for.
Sindy Hankins 