“People cannot change their habits without first changing their way of thinking.”

- Marie Kondo

Does It Spark Joy?

February 14, 2021

“Anxiety arises from not being able to see the whole picture. If you feel anxious, but are not sure why, try putting your things in order.” – Marie Kondo

Best-selling author of The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Spark Joy Marie Kondo offers much more than a space organization method. She makes the connection between decluttering external spaces and the outcome it has on decluttering our internal space and reframing our perspective. Less is more, a place for everything, choosing joy.

“The best way to choose what to keep and what to throw away is to take each item in one's hand and ask: “Does this spark joy?” If it does, keep it. If not, dispose of it. This is not only the simplest but also the most accurate yardstick by which to judge.” – Marie Kondo

During the pandemic lock-down of 2020, many people decluttered and organized their spaces since they couldn’t leave them. In spring, I decided to replace old linoleum, carpet and laminate flooring with vinyl plank flooring throughout my first floor. To prepare for the project, I had to move everything from the first floor into the garage. That required clearing space in the garage first. While I was at it, I decided to also repaint the walls as well. It took a month to get ready for the floor installation including a lot of trips to donate and discard items. Unknowingly, we collect a lot through the years, inside and out. We don’t realize how much until we have to create space for new things.

“And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance”

- Lee Ann Womack

The Utility of Joy

March 18, 2020

“Grit is living life like it's a marathon, not a sprint.” – Angela Duckworth

We often think of joy as frivolous, of no real use, fluffy, the icing on the cake if you even get cake. Joy is so much more than a bonus. It’s the salary of a life well lived. Joy is not an extra, an anomaly, it’s the main character, center stage. It’s utility, a necessity, a requirement. Dancing is fundamental to this life.

We are called to the sky of joy, to pure delight every single day. That still small voice, that calling grounded in purpose, height, depth and the seemingly impossible. It is the seed of joy inside ready to burst into full bloom.

The times are uncertain right now to be sure, but this moment, this slice of time is open to explore, wander and inquire with fortitude. Our self-imposed limitations have been removed and excuses for not starting have melted. So start. Begin the dance.

Run fast and furious to starting new things that you never had the time for. You, we, all have the time right now in this moment. This is our collective invitation to stop the futility of busy, the guilt of commitment to nothingness to begin the important – to give stage to your calling.

In Laura Story’s song Blessings, she beautifully ponders whether our blessings are amidst our trials in disguise. Indeed they are. This moment right now is our blessing in disguise. This very moment is fertile ground for starting, for exploring and for answering the questions that have been drown out by busy, condensed time and BS excuses that we have given credence to without question.

Tap into the utility of joy right now when it makes absolutely no sense. This defining moment for each of us calls us to rise above and pursue right through the middle of fear and consternation.

Begin something new today, amidst the unknown and uncertainty. This is the exact time to explore, start and get going on your dreams. “The only joy in the world is to begin.” – Cesare Pavese

Succumb to the utility, necessity and rigor of joy. It is exactly what we all need right now in this moment. Release despair, scarcity and hording. Give, spend and risk it all.

“Beauty is the only thing that time cannot harm. Philosophies fall away like sand, creeds follow one another, but what is beautiful is a joy for all seasons, a possession for all eternity.” – Oscar Wilde

JOY KPI

February 6, 2020

“Find joy in everything you choose to do. Every job, relationship, home... it's your responsibility to love it, or change it.” – Chuck Palahniuk

We put a lot of thinking, planning, energy and measurement into our work lives. Setting goals, measuring, readjusting, repeat. More with less. Faster and faster. Efficiency and effectiveness. Strategy, objectives, goals and tactics followed by measurement and readjustment.