Disorderly Conduct
Disorderly Conduct
Messy matters, especially if your life circumstances are in disarray. There is something about order that helps settle down racing thoughts and emotional clutter. Decisions are easier. It also makes life-function run smoother. When things are orderly we can receive unexpected guests without embarrassment and we are prepared for spontaneous activities without harried or guilty reactions.
Take 15 minutes and tackle one messy place in your surrounding. It might be your desk, your nightstand, your kitchen counters, your closet, your purse, etc. Later do it again in another congested area. By the end of the day your measurable improvements will make you feel way better than a hot fudge sundae with whipping cream.
Tidy takes the tangle out of your brains so you can process important matters.
I really needed to read this today. My husband’s employer just shut down the plant, so he’ll be out of a job soon. Our son is deployed in Afghanistan. One daughter is facing a divorce. The other daughter’s fiancee is in the same boat with my husband. And yes, the house is a mess right now. (I tend to shut down when I’m overwhelmed). Praying helps immeasurably. I think I’ll clean a little now. Thank you.
Thanks Patsy! I I need to do this each day but sometimes the clutter just builds up beyond my control. I’ll do better to think in 15 minute intervals. Well, and to also start my day with the Source of all decluttering!! Have a great day!!
So wise; a great word of wisdom. Taking 15 minutes to de-clutter an area isn’t overwhelming. I tend to look at the big picture sometime and can feel like there is too much to do. I had a week off over the holidays and I tackled the pantry one day, the silverware door another etc. It is those closed areas that is hard for me to constantly keep a handle on.
It was not by “chance” I happened to read your blog tonight … God will have His way in my life one way or the other … walking in faith, or being dragged kicking and screaming through it. I think I’ll be taking a walk through my kitchen… and pause for 15 minutes or so by a certain messy counter… 🙂 Thanks, Patsy!
Patsy, you said so much in just a couple of paragraphs. I’m one of those perfectionists who tend to put things off because she doesn’t believe the task will actually be completed, either due to a lack of supplies or time, etc. If I will just follow your direction and work for fifteen minutes in one area, maybe something will actually get done. Who knows? May those fifteen minutes will turn into an hour and the entire task will be complete. Oh, no. I feel the anxiety coming on. Maybe I’d better just purchase one of those wind-up timers, set it for fifteen minutes, and then walk away when the timer goes off. Okay . . . Now I feel better. 🙂
Patsy
I love your books and speeches as well as blogs. The recent one to mothers about clutter gives good advice. You say that the organizing will feel way better than a hot fudge sundae with whipped cream.
I have problems with my church friends and members being relatively food and sweet oriented. The majority do not seem to know or want to know anything about nutrition and healthy eating. At my Bible Study we are presented with sweet desserts every Monday at 9 pm. They have gotten a little healthier over the last year. We had offered the Daniel Plan to anyone who wanted It was done very well. One of the doctors who was part of the plan, I think Dr. Amen, said sugar is more addictive than cocaine.
The church members have a huge list of people to pray for who have all the degenerative diseases associated with a poor diet and lack of exercise. No one ever seems to get that there is a connection and that God can help us take care of the temple (body) we live in.
I hope you can spread some wisdom on this as I have been feeling sad and frustrated for more years than I can count. Our children and grandchildren, who look to us as role models, are the ones most at risk.
Blessings
Judy Leese