Kiku Collins: New Blog

It's amazing how much we take on, accept, because it's been presented to us.  If you've got a closet full of unused presents from Secret Santa sessions, Knitting Grannies, Family Heirlooms... you know what it's like to hold onto something just because.  

We do the same with work, offers, opportunities, because they are handed to us. 

Who says we need to take it all? Who says we need to hoard Hummel Figurines, an old china cabinet with scratches from a dog long dead, china that was too expensive to eat off of and too ugly to do anything but store in a box, a gig that is musically unfulfilling, a job that pays low and has no happiness effect on our lives...?

Remember how to say "no". Remember how to say "no thank you". Remember to thank yourself for not taking everything simply because it's offered in your general direction.  Need it, want it, and cherish and use it to better your life. Otherwise, there IS someone out there who will need, want and cherish it.

And on the subject - stuff.  We love to get stuff. It feels great! Shopping, find a bargain, don't need it but it's cheap! I do it too, we ALL do it.  Every 6 months, clean out your closet. See how much of those bargains actually get put to use. See how many you end up donating to charity.  Not such a good bargain, taking up space, needing to be dusted, and in the end, costing you SOMEthing, just to be carted away later. 

We are never perfect at anything - we continue to get stuff, to take on work, to accept presents that we can't, won't or don't. It's fine. It's life. Live it, consciously. 

Yeah, I really DID want that sweater the other day.  It was 70% off. I will wear it because it's perfect for me and will replace things that I've gotten in the past that weren't. They will go off to the Goodwill or Salvation army and I'll have theoretically paid more than the original price of that new sweater! Ironic, no?

The good news is that someone else will find and love those sweaters. I hope!

And remember, friendships and associates and lovers, they are all in our life closet. Be sure you have picked well. I know too many people in unhappy relationships, with lovers or friends or even family. Not to say you should donate them, but look deep in that closet, see what you may want to patch up, see what you may want to re-evaluate. I look in my past closets and am astounded. I look in my present closet, and while I do need to throw a patch here and there, sew on a button, or simply get the iron out, I'm happy with what's in there.  

xo,

NP