Let me know what treasures you have found in your clutter?

I woke to a bright, sunny Sunday, had breakfast, and, what I’ve been putting off for a while, I spontaneously decided to do: clear out one of my closets. A chore that turned out to be laughable as I came across pages of jokes tucked away, unforgotten.

I felt a weight lifted after the closet was cleaned and neatly organized. Only to wake with a slight headache this morning, not knowing where it was coming from and refused to drug myself with painkillers as I had a few days ago.

I got to the computer to draft this post when I remembered I’d need to recheck the last name of the individual I thought was my boss from the first name. So, I got up and went to the closet to retrieve the pages I had stapled together and put them away. Only to find out that between me going to empty the garbage and my night’s sleep, the invisible person tampered with the pages. Instead of five, only three pages were there. Another action in an attempt to send me mad.

As I looked at the pages…and I’m only going to list a few; in my hand. True to these words: Men (some people) are like Laxatives. They irritate the crap out of you.” Next: Men (some people) are like the weather. Nothing can be done to change them. Next: Men (some people) are like Government Bond…They take sooooooo long to mature. And lastly: Men (some people) are like Lava Lamps. Fun to look at, but not very bright.” I felt, and if the person was in front of me, the result would not have been good.

Now, getting back to the treasures from the closet. I also found a book of poetry by my nephew, titled MAMA DOT by Fred D’Aguiar. I never read the entire book before because it was written in broken English, which I had never spoken. I found the language to be funny when my sisters did speak it to tell of something they didn’t want me to understand. To a set of pages on Motivating Yourself—Recharging the human battery by Mat Anderson.

The spirit moves us at the right time, and you could say it did on Sunday for some reminders on motivating me that I needed to read. At times, we all do get discouraged by what we hear or people’s actions toward us. And when you dwell on what is heard or a person’s action toward you, it can be depressing and put you in a mood where what your mind wants to do, the feeling pushes it aside, to the point that there’s no care to do anything. Happiness and success depend not so much on the problem we face, but on how we respond to them. This is true. The difference is our attitude. Whether it is negative or positive. And the choice is yours as to which you will embrace.

So, after allowing my emotions to settle, I completed this post with a few more reminders from the pages of Motivating Yourself. In doing so, we are advised to define our priorities. Everyone has dreams. In the rich soil of our hearts, minds, and experiences reside the seeds of our desire and potential. Many things can hold us back from being all we can be. One is ‘old baggage,’ emotional scars that continue to linger because we are reminded of them by the wicked ones. Reminders that can be barriers to our success and ability to stay motivated. The quotes below from the pages I found were helpful, and as I share them, I hope you will be motivated as I have in the weeks ahead.

“It concerns us to know the purpose we seek in life, for then, like anchors aiming at a definite mark, we shall be more likely to attain what we want.” –Aristotle.

“Of all the forces that make for a better world, none is so indispensable, one so powerful as hope. Without hope, men [as women] are only half alive. With hope, they dream and think and work.” –Charles Sawyer.

“Thoughts lead to purposes; purposes go forth in action; actions form habits; habits decide character; and character fixes our destiny.”  –Tyron Edwards.

“Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hate. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.” –William A. Ward.

So, are you ready to share what treasures you have found in your clutter?

Thanks for reading. Until my next post, take care of yourself and each other!