When it comes to clearing out old things in my house or my space, I get emotionally charged. 

The issue is that I’ve embedded emotional attachment into my things. 

I know that seems weird. 

(I never said that I wasn’t weird.)

But I hold on to things like holding onto people and moments in time. The things jar my memories, and I can relive those experiences. 

I look at the photos of my long-dead relatives and worry that after I’m gone, no one will remember them. And then, when I’m gone, no one will remember me after a bit. 

I remember the horror after I was told I had cancer, that I was going to die and my kids would never really know me. They wouldn’t know the love I felt for them. They would be emotionally scared because I left them too early. 

(Obviously, I didn’t die of that cancer, and I have been tormenting my kids for years to ensure they remember me…)

But here’s the thing: I must let go of the old way of being to grow and develop into my best self. Clinging maniacally to the past is not in my best interest. 

It’s the space between STIMULUS—–>RESPONSE. It’s what Viktor Frankl wrote about in Man’s Search for Meaning. Between stimulus and response, we have a choice. We can choose our response. 

My question for you today is: what response do you choose?

Do you choose to release the old to make way for the new?

Or do you choose to cling to the past?

February is a great time to release the old and prepare for spring, a time of planting. 

No one goes around and thinks, “I want to be mediocre.” 

But people become complacent and satisfied instead of continually challenging themselves to be their best. 

This is the one short life we have. 

Are you going to be one of those couch potatoes we saw on the Super Bowl ads? (who is coming up with these ideas???)

Don’t let your past dictate your future. Grab the reigns and steer yourself to your best future. 

Be all that you are meant to be. 

Clear out the old. Till your soil. Fertilize your soul. 

Oh, and remember, self-care is critical. Put your mask on first so you can go forth with fortitude. 

(I feel like I am full of platitudes today… )

If you want your life to be different, clear out and create the change you desire.