Change..we either love it or loathe it!
Last week, I said I was going to embrace it and my goodness - have I ever been challenged on that declaration over the past seven days!
It came in the form of sorting through and letting go of many books that I have collected, ( ahem! )hoarded for far too long. Not an easy task for me as I loved my stash of health, cooking and christian books that filled up the built-in wardrobe in the spare room.
It felt good to be able to say, "I have a book on that!" whenever someone needed information about their physical or spiritual ills.
It made me feel helpful and ready to share my wisdom or knowledge, even if it was just by passing along a book!
So ..why did I get rid of my beloved tomes ?
Well..my husband decided to have a 'clean up' last week and chose to start with my books - eek!
Let me tell you - I was NOT ready for that change, even though I'd been saying it needed to be done for simply ages.
He thought he'd help me, seeing that he was home recuperating from his hand injury, and was bored and looking for something to do.
Oh my! Did I have a hard time of it!
You see I don't hoard many things but I have a passion for books, and I'd become so attached to those volumes; I found myself resenting his 'help' and seething on the inside, as I watched the bookshelves emptying and the 'to go' boxes filling up around my feet.
I admit it friends..I was most ungracious towards my beloved and acted like a spoilt child who is forced to give away her old toys :-(
But the truth of the matter is, I just don't have time to read most of the books I'd crammed into that cluttered cupboard. It was senseless to hang on to them all.
Oh, I have kept my dearly loved favourites which I read and re-read - the ones that always minister and exhort me to greater spiritual depths or teach me how to care for my loved ones. My old faithfuls!
As for the rest..well they just fed my ego by their presence in our home, so they really had to go!
And you know..now that the tantrums and pouting are over, I am actually thankful that my husband 'helped' me to see what a hold those old books had on me.
If he hadn't been bored last Wednesday, I dare say nothing would have changed in that room and I would still be facing a mammoth task that I'd keep putting off. I'm glad it's done at last. I feel invigorated and inspired to make more changes - even got my hair cut in a totally new style yesterday :-)
Now, I'm headed to sort through my clothes and embrace a change of wardrobe - I guess my beloved didn't see that one coming lol!
Just kidding ladies..less really is more!
Just kidding ladies..less really is more!
I wonder what changes you may be needing to make right now, to help your homes run smoother?
Want to borrow one very used useful husband?
Trish
This week I am going to..
1. sort through my clothes and get rid of the excess.
2. weed the garden which is getting out of control.
3. prepare lighter meals with more fresh / raw foods.
4. appreciate my husband a whole lot more and embrace his changes without grumbling!
Click the button to join Gae to see how you too, can be encouraged to turn your Hearts for Home this week!
Darlene also has a wonderful new meme for homemakers. Pop over to enjoy her inspiring words today.
12 months ago when through all my books and filled up bags and bags - and off they went to the Life Line book fair. I have a collection that I would never part with, so the job wasn't as hard as I thought it would be and I knew the money raised by Lifeline would be used for good.
ReplyDeleteI does feel liberating to do these big clean outs 12 monthly. I am not a hoarder so it is something I do quite often. It removes so much "weight" from the house.
Well said Jo!
ReplyDeleteTo be liberated from the weight of unnecessary things is wonderful.
bless you..Trish
Thanks for joining in the meme! I love the photo and the article. I'm so reminded of my stash of books. I have a huge pile of books in a basket, and some more in a personal book shelf :) And on top of them all is a book called, "Throw out 50 things." LOL Think someone is trying to give me a message? ;)
ReplyDeletelol! Darlene I had plenty of books with titles like that in my 'collection' too :-D
ReplyDeletebless you..Trish
I must tell you Trish, than letting go of things that you have had for so long is the hardest thing you could do. My husband doesn't do this with me, because his ability to let go and my ability to hold on, just do not mix :)
ReplyDeleteBut I have been giving up and letting go more and more...I like your ideas and I pray that Our Lord continue to guide you as changes are always for the best!
M.
Enjoyed this so much Trish, and related so well too. I had to go sort through my books a few years ago, and it was so hard, but afterwards I knew it was the best thing. I have now accumulated more books! lol. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Sue
Aaaahhhh...we have married quite similar men, it seems! I GREATLY admire you for the gracious acceptance you gave to this unexpected "change".
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I would not have done so well as you.
I love your list for the week ahead...and made me smile to think that you are gardening when my kids are a few feet outside my window building a snowman at this moment!
So far...and yet so close in this special way God allows us to connect!
May He bless your worthy endeavors for the week!
I need to clean out all the things that are just things to me and take them to the women's shelter.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding me to do just that.
blessings,
Bren
Sounds like we are in the same mode of thinking and I, like you, find it hard to embrace change sometimes. But when I finally do, it is as you describe "invigorating". Have a blessed day!
ReplyDeleteDear Trish,
ReplyDeleteWhat an eventful week for you. I too as you know love books. I would have been a nervous wreck. I have many treasured books but some I have read only once but am thinking of 'what if the children need/want them'.
I do find that once I am on an organising theme I can be very ruthless with most things, but books, that will be a challenge.
Enjoy this phase in your life and I admire your embrace change motto again
Blessings dear friend
Gae
Do some letting go myself and it is hard.
ReplyDeleteHave a Blessed Week
Trish,
ReplyDeleteHaving less is more, but it's not always an easy task to accomplish.
I think that I have way too many books myself . . . try several bookshevles full of books, and many of them, I don't even read or "notice." :( I just hate to "give away" any books, sigh.
I'm glad that your husband was able to "help" you. Sometimes, we need their assistance with those "difficult areas" of our lives. :)
-Lady Rose
Dear friend...I just want to know if you are doing all right in regards to the floods?
ReplyDeleteM.
I have been going through things as well! I took a big load to the thrift store just yesterday! ;o) My house is looking neater my kids are saying how everything looks so much cleaner without the extra clutter! Oh and how did your cut go? I have been thinking about you! ;o)
ReplyDeleteHi Trish,I too, find reducing the volume of books that I like to surround myself with a very hard task.I have a husband who loved book-hunting as much as I did and between us the books multiplied at an alarming rate --- THEN ---he discovered e-readers, and now he downloads books directly from the web to his e-book. (sounds good eh!) -- no clutter-- no extra space to be found -- no re-arranging of bookshelf contents needed ---NO WAY TO AVOID seeing MY continuing book hunting.
ReplyDeleteI will have to take a leaf out of your book and do a serious book culling.
I think I'm getting better already!!!!!5 minutes ago I wouldn't have taken a leaf out of your book...........I'd have taken the book.
God bless and keep up the good work
Barb
It's always on my mind that I should get rid of excess "stuff". It's not easy though is it?. I go about it a bit at a time and just hope that it makes a difference in the end. I enjoyed reading this post, TFS.
ReplyDeleteWhat a BEAUTIFUL blog you have, and so encouraging! I've been trying to weed out, and it's so hard! I love books, too; hard to let them go!
ReplyDeleteThank you for following my blog and I'm glad to follow yours as well! :)