When I began reading and thinking about simplifying my life, it seemed a straight forward and simple enough task. Planning for it was easy enough. Considering where I needed to weed through and what criteria I would use to begin to limit and eradicate the “baggage” I had accumulated.

I made a list of each area of my home and my life that I needed to attend to … clutter. Made a simple rule that if I had not touched it in a year, I probably did not need it. At least for the stuff that I needed to go through. For the things that required more thought, research and time (finances, 2015 planning), I would take more time to contemplate.

Starting my vacation just before Christmas day, I took the time to spend with family and friends for the holiday. Then, Saturday I began digging through the first few areas. I started with the den/office in my home. I only have two bookshelves here and a hand full of drawers. Not much lying about. Still it was a bit exhausting going through it all and determining what I truly wanted to keep.

This start inevitably pressed me toward the other three bookshelves in our home. No, not three shelves, three full six foot bookshelves, each overflowing with books. I have a problem here. Now I must consider which books are most dear to me. Some were easy as I had marked them so fully with dog eared pages and notation sin the margins they must be kept. However, some “collections” had to be sacrificed to the process. I found a few that I had not yet even read beyond the jacket cover.

When it was done I had a considerable stack of books. Half Priced Books will love me this next week and I should be at least, let’s say $20 richer for the thousands I probably spent on the mound.

As I completed the first two tasks on my list I am frustrated. Frustrated with myself for my carelessness in what I have accumulated and with, what I now see, is going to be a daunting task.

As I begin to limit myself to need and fewer wants I see the fallacy in my thinking and the lack of focus and care I have had on my life.

I have been on autopilot.

It’s easy to do really. You just let everything happen to you instead of being a force in your own life. You live, you accumulate, you really don’t have to think that much outside of work. It’s all very easy really. You flip the switch once you get things in motion and allow it to all just … happen.

It Happens.

It really does.

I am really quite embarrassed about it.

I found a box of vitamin supplements. Probably ten various bottles of supplements I bought back in 2010. Some open, some not. All very out of date. Waste.

I tell you this very embarrassing detail to highlight to you and myself that I am only on the second area of a list that has eight more to go. I am actually fearful of what I might find.

Thus, I am making a vow. That which I find and can be sold will be sold and the profits will go to charities to help the homeless or starving.

I see now that I cannot continue to make excuses for my excess. I must consciously make decisions that have a purpose behind them that is beyond myself or at the very least for myself in the right manner. The sustentative parts of life which can improve myself and others. Not just stuff. Meaning.

After writing the previous piece on Simplicity I spent some time thinking about what that really meant to me moving forward. Much as I did when I was going through personal coaching some years ago, I tried to boil my thoughts into a simple statement. What I came up with is this litmus test moving forward. What I am about must embody;

Simplicity   – Strength – Stewardship   –    Substance

Simplicity – a focus on only that which does not further complicate my life or makes it simpler

Strength – as in makes me or those around me stronger mentally or physically

Stewardship – reflective of being a good steward of my possessions, finances, time and relationships

Substance – focus on actions that are meaningful and provide a life of substance

No more autopilot. I still have a long way to go and much to do. However, I feel better today, my feet set upon a path that I am focused upon taking. No longer taking what I have for granted and making sure that there is a purpose in both what I do and what I have.