Processing

I am processing the chapters of my library books in thought and deed. Last week I had a great conversation with my accountant that is helping me with the business planning. But in order to move forward, we must let go of the old, and “create space” in our lives as Kathy Freston puts it.

Ironically, it has been 7 years since my last business shut down (do entrepreneurs have a seven-year-itch?), and I was able to let go of some of that paperwork. Then I took it to the next level and evaluated other files I have. With everything going ‘paperless,’ I went on a shredding spree.

My hardworking shredder taught me an interesting lesson: “Take breaks!” As I fed it stash after stash, it would at some point just stop and not budge for about 20 minutes. I figured out its rhythm, and realized that I too, must honor my rhythm. Make some progress, take a break, make some progress, take a break.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it still captivates people today!

This week I declared freedom from the Blackberry (too much of a corporate reminder) with a new phone. Then I set out to organize all the books I own (900-ish). The various Feng Shui diagrams didn’t work for me (not putting a bookcase in front of a window!), so I decided to organize the titles in my own way of inviting the creative in and dusting off the stagnant air.

Going through my photo albums and school projects was quite a walk down memory lane. As old bills brought back flashbacks I realized that most memories are fond ones with the distance of years. What was once a struggle now is a milepost of achievement. Hardships (like car troubles) were overcome, student loans were paid off, furniture was purchased and happily used (and some eventually passed on to new happy recipients), trips were made. The scrambling of planning, pinching pennies and extra work all paid off several years later.

The realization that struggles or resistance do serve a purpose is crystallizing more for me.  In The Wishing Year Noelle Oxenhandler gets her head around that we don’t necessarily have to struggle to ‘earn’ or ‘deserve’ what we ask for (something I’m working on myself!) but I still think that these (perceived) trials and tribulations help us grow and prepare us for the next phase in life—either for perspective or to know what to do in the future.

“This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.”

— Corrie ten Boom (The Hiding Place-yes, that’s in my library next to Anne Frank)

I also realize that all the worrying I did a decade ago only “robbed today of its strength” The big fears never came about, and with a decade of perspective, it all worked out just fine in the end. I’m hoping that that realization stays with me through the next decades to come. That regardless of what comes my way, there is a solution. The Universe does take care of everything, as I can see from my own life journey.

And so my thoughts swirl on with each day. I’m quite curious what the next week will bring!

I wish you a lovely weekend, with fondness for the days past, and much joy in the present.