Simplifying Life

mary43

Many thanks for the prescription...................lol I'll take as directed.

This is a lovely thread and one of the first I aim for. It's shown me that its not just my cupboards and drawers that are full of unwanted 'stuff' - it's me as well. Start clearing one and the other becomes much easier. Might be slower than a spring cleaning blitz but I never was one to act in haste (especially not with cleaning...........!!)

ceridwen

....acting in haste with cleaning!!!!! Well....I do keep offering that if someone has caught the "cleaning bug" and is desperate to keep their hand in doing some cleaning...they can feel free to have a go at my place. I'll provide the refreshments.

...now why has no-one taken me up on it so far?

mary43

Ive had the same problem...................only way I'll get someone to do it for me is to pop a card in the newsagents but then that will cost a bob or two or several...............lol

Found this when I was chucking out some papers this afternoon. I'd printed it out twice but kept one. Didn't know the link but found it (bless google )

http://damcreations.blogspot.com/2007/03/from-then-on-ive-tried-to-be-little.html

It says so much I think about how we live - well some of us anyway

boddy

:hello: Hi everyone. Have been reading the thread from the beginning most of the afternoon. There is some brilliant ideas on here for simplifying life. This is something close to my own heart. I retire next year and besides wanting to get myself sorted financially I want to downsize and declutter.

My spare room is like a Aladdins Cave of unwanted xmas presents etc. Im feeling quite motivated now. I had only been thinking the other day about the tv and the ads. How we are subtly sucked into wanting and having the latest this that and another. I know not everyone is but certainley a lot of people. I do tend to give a lot of stuff to charity shops when I do declutter thinking someone else can benefit.

Further back on the thread I recall about saying about doing a kindess each day. Its amazing how a smile or a kind word can make someones day. I do hold the belief that it comes back threefold. Beside my full time job I work as a greeter in the local hospital. I get so much from seeing how it helps people who dont know where to go or are feeling nervous. Ive had a lot of positive feedback. I think just giving a little time to to people helps a lot. Its a two way thing. Ive made a bit difference to their day and I get a lot of pleasure knowing Ive helped a little. Yet there are people who are amazed I do it voluntary and say I wouldnt do something for nothing. What I get is worth much more than money.

Mary congratulations on making the first step. Well done.

Look forward to getting to know you all.

ceridwen

mary43 wrote: »

Ive had the same problem...................only way I'll get someone to do it for me is to pop a card in the newsagents but then that will cost a bob or two or several...............lol

Found this when I was chucking out some papers this afternoon. I'd printed it out twice but kept one. Didn't know the link but found it (bless google )

http://damcreations.blogspot.com/2007/03/from-then-on-ive-tried-to-be-little.html

It says so much I think about how we live - well some of us anyway

....good point....there always has to be time for pleasure and the other things that really "matter"....which, to complete the circle, is back to where this thread started...

mary43

Hello boddy and thankyou for your kind wishes.
This thread is full of inspiration of all sorts..........things that make us feel better about ourselves....and as we're all different, its different things.

Your Aladdins cave sounds a real money saver.............all those unwanted christmas presents could be re-cycled and given away this year (providing you remember who bought them..........be awful to give someone back what they'd given............lol)
I've made a mental note of things around the house that I wonder why I bought..........they'll go in my spare room with all the other christmas/birthday pressies I'm hoarding, the idea being I get the pressie business all dealt with nice and early and a lot cheaper than other years.

And no job such as yours is voluntary - the payment is in what you receive back from those you do a kindness to.
Its a sad fact that many people wouldn't dream of doing something for no money and unfortunately life dictates that we all need money to live but not so much as the endless television adverts would have us believe.

ceridwen

From the Dalai Lama this time:

- I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe.

- Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend - or a meaningful day.

Aril

Hello virtual friends:j
I do so enjoy this thread and I am always amazed at the different twists and turns it takes whilst I am away from it at work. I never know quite what I am going to find when I return to it in the evening.
Some of the stresses and strains we find our lives under today seem to be down to the difficulty of getting the balance right. Sometimes I achieve this [when I do I feel calm and serene and willing to meet all challenges head on] but a lot of time I feel very out of kilter and pulling myself in too many directions at the same time. If only I knew the answer and yes I do guilt big time. I find the following quote raises my spirit no end and reminds me how I hope I will have lived my life at least in part when I look back!
Life should not be a journey to the graveside with the intention of arriving in a well preserved, perfect body- rather we should skid in sideways, Martini in one hand, chocolate in the other, body thoroughly used up screaming Woo Hoo!! Thanks for the ride. [sorry don't know the source]
The same friend who sent me the Maya Angelou quotes sent that one to me...I think she knows me better than I know myself sometimes!!
Aril

judderman62

Mary

Had a thought for you during my pause for thought tonight at 21:00 :grouphug:

judderman62

mary43 wrote: »

Just got back. Well, more of an assessment than counselling session and from what the nurse could tell (in between me blubbing away and couldn't stop) a lot of it is down to not dealing with death of first hubby, son, Dad and Mums illness etc. not getting on with my brother etc. Told me to take more time looking after 'me' instead of other people, not to feel guilty for not seeing mum as often as other folk think I should. I told her how I can't seem to get rid of my Dad (all his bits and pieces) but as I was saying it I know I'm making a start with giving some bits to my boys. Maybe if I make a bigger effort with that I'll start to feel clearer about things in my head.
She really was very good and is putting me down for a series of counselling sessions to talk through all this more thoroughly. Trouble is, being nhs and waiting lists..............first appointment wont be for four weeks !
Still, I felt much better for going and what she told me.

Came out all red eyed and sniffy..........good job I only live across the road otherwise I''d have felt a right fool.

Completely thrown my afternoon though so not much will get done today.
But I'm not going to let the 'guilt factor' step in..........no way. I've made a start with sorting myself out...........the rest (i.e. drawers, cupbooards) will follow.

Mary re NHS waiting lists could you try other sources ?

Can you look into any local charities or other mental health sources/resources ?

Also you could try mind - I saw a superb counsellor for several months that I was put into touch with by Mind.

Just a few thoughts that may/or may not be potential additional/alternative sources for you.

take care :grouphug: