Did you know if you get rid of, or move on, 12 items in one day, you shift the energy in your house? This was one of a flurry of email messages last week among my friends on the merits of cleaning out. We were all wanting to make more space in our homes, clear out the clutter, and keep only what we love and what inspires us, and well, I guess what we think we need as well. I wouldn’t say the vacuum cleaner inspires me, but with two dogs who merrily shed their way through the house, I do appreciate its value.
I took the concept further; I unsubscribed to almost all my daily emails for ads and sales, and good deals. I ended my membership with Paperback Swap, a fun way to recycle books and an additional detail to attend to. My brain was succumbing to the weight of all the details, all the important things to consider, all the decisions to make, all the worthy causes to support. I wanted more space in my head. I took a break from Facebook. In my quest to stay connected with my new friends, old friends, friends of my children, neighborhood and city happenings, politics and hopeful social movements, I didn’t have enough space or time to be connected to myself. It is easier sometimes to be noisily involved with life, than to be quietly aware of oneself.
This morning I stumbled upon yet another area in my life yearning for more space. I was writing to my coach about my ongoing saga with stress and my efforts to manage it. As my words poured out I could hear my judgment of self, my criticism, pointing out yet more areas of failure in my life. I thought of all those harmful words buzzing around my head, poking at my skin, and eventually perching around my heart. Negative words clogging up my heart space; I want to clean up and clear out. I want to eradicate toxicity, pluck those seductive shady words that on the surface sound innocent, and underneath are scathing in their rebuke of self. Words said in humor that are not loving or kind or gentle. Words of impatience and intolerance towards myself. A tangible way to start is to choose 12 words to remove from my vocabulary. Words that no longer (and never did) serve me; toss ’em away and open up space for generosity and vitality and passion!
tinaburkholder 
Carolyn Bergey
/ September 15, 2013Tina -Your blog touches my heart because I can feel your light radiating. Your writing inspires me to expand, grow and transform. There is a hope that is expressed in you. Space is sacred and a gift for my spirit. Seeing the picture of the labyrinth reminds me to keep taking steps along my path.