PURGE

I went shopping Friday afternoon because I have some big speaking engagements coming up in the next few months, and my wardrobe needed updating. When I got home and put the new things on hangars, I asked myself the age-old question, “How can I have nothing to wear when my closet is jammed packed?”

The answer, of course, is that it was full of clothes that were worn out, ill fitting or out of date. It was time to purge.

It wasn’t as easy as it should have been. I was attached to some of those clothes, even though they no longer served my needs. As I was stacking up a pile for Goodwill, I started to think about all the papers, magazines and booklets I’ve accumulated throughout the years. When I need to do research now, I go to my computer, not to my files. So once I get rid of the clothes, I’m going to haul off all my useless papers.

I’m calling it “The Big Spring Purge”, and while I’m at it I’m also going to examine my heart and mind to see if I’ve been hanging on to any useless ideas, expectations, perceptions, grudges or resentments.

I think it’s important to remember that just because we own something, we aren’t obligated to keep it once it no longer benefits us. If you have anything that is weighing you down or taking up too much space in your life, maybe you’d like to join me this week and do a purge. I’m only going to hang on to the things that are useful, beautiful or beneficial. Everything else is going to Goodwill or to the dump.