Decluttering my way to freedom!

I started this decluttering journey a few months ago thinking I would just clean out some closets, drawers, cupboards, etc.  This is the link to the original post http://nenaholt.blogspot.com/2015/08/decluttering-more-than-your-home.html
What I found is that it is much more of an emotional process.  Purging and getting rid of items, especially given to me by others, is a difficult process for me.  I remember when I received the item, who made it for me, the relationship and all the feelings that went with it.  It is especially hard with items my children made or my grandma made for me.  I started by cleaning out my closet and then decided to go through one room at a time and it has taken me MUCH LONGER than I ever imagined it would. 
It took me almost three months of internal processing before I could even start.  It seemed that I was paralyzed and overwhelmed by where to start.  I actually had to call my daughter and have her come over and help me with the grandbabies playroom.  Once we purged and organized that room I immediately felt better and it gave me the boost I needed to look at other rooms.
My daughter told me about a book called The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.  It is an excellent book and totally different than any other organizing book I have ever read.  It makes much more sense to me.  She has you get out all of your items that are alike and group them together so you can see how many you truly have! It is eye opening.  For example: all of your shirts, pants, sweaters, skirts, underwear, bras, slips, shorts, skorts, dresses, etc.  It is amazing how many items you have and how many you don't use or haven't used in well over a year.  Then she has you decide if it's something you love or something you have no emotion toward at all.  If you don't love it, it goes! 
The next room I worked on was the kitchen.  What an eye opener this was.  I have so many cooking items that I didn't even know I had.  I also had SEVERAL 13x9x2 pans and I definitely don't have an over big enough to fit them all into!  It is just amazing to pile it all up and then see what you have.  I would be willing to bet I am not the only person that has multiple items of the same thing!! 
I'm not finished but I do have a good start on purging and getting rid of things I don't need or use.  The best part is the overall joyous feeling I have in getting rid of items I don't need.  It feels like at least a one ton weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.  I cannot wait to see how I feel after the entire house has been completed!! This is a great time of year to declutter and get ready for the New Year! Please share your experiences in the comment section to help others.  Sometimes it helps to know we're not alone.
God Bless,
Nena

How do you react to situations that upset you?

Many times I sit down to write and let you know what's on my mind and I don't say what's really on my mind because I don't want to burden anyone else with my "issues".  I feel that I am so blessed why should I complain or say anything to bring anyone else down.  What I am discovering is that when I don't let others know what is going on in my life they get this "VERY FALSE" sense that I'm tough and I'm strong and I can handle anything without it bothering me.  It is a correct conclusion that I am strong and I can handle anything but it isn't ME who can it is HIM in me that can.  There is a difference. 
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippeans 4:13

I feel things very deeply and think about many of you, some I have never met in person, and love you and care about what happens to you in your life and you never know.

Today I was thinking about a situation in my family where people aren't speaking to each other.  It is very sad for me and it has a huge impact on my family and my grandchildren especially this time of year.  As most of you know my family and my grandbabies are MY WHOLE WORLD.  This entire situation has gotten way out of hand.  I can assure you that NO ONE committed a crime, killed anyone, stole anything, etc.  Words were said, judgements were made and we're off to the races, as they say. 

All of this has made me stop and think...WHAT IF?  What if instead of judging one another when something is said in anger we gave the person grace?  What if someone cuts us off, or cuts in front of us in line, etc. we didn't immediately get angry and lash out or become passive aggressive and we realized that perhaps that person was experiencing something in their own life that they could not even begin to understand and we gave them grace?  What if when something someone does impacts us and makes us upset, angry, frustrated, hurt, embarrassed, annoyed or any other negative emotion our first thought was...I wonder what is happening in their live that I don't know about?  I have come to realize that how people behave says much more about THEM than it does about ME! 

Think about it...do you say things or lash out at people when you're rested, well fed, happy and everything is going great or when you are struggling?  Our first clue that someone may need grace should be when they are not behaving in the most positive light.  When we are only thinking about how it is affecting us then we are in our EGO not showing anyone grace.  When we are only thinking about ourselves and how this encounter is impacting us, or what we are going to say, how we are going to respond; it's OUR EGO not grace.

Imagine how our lives would change if we did this one simple thing the next time we find ourselves feeling frustrated, angry, upset, hurt, embarrassed, etc. we STOPPED and asked ourselves, "I wonder what is happening in their life that would make them act this way?" and then we showed them grace and asked God to bless them and comfort them through whatever they are dealing with...just IMAGINE!  Showing grace doesn't reflect on their behavior, IT SHOWS what kind of person we are.  Lashing out at them or getting them back also shows what type of person we are.  Both ways reflect on me personally and has nothing to do with what type of person THEY are and it doesn't excuse their behavior but it says A LOT about what type of person I am.  I want to reflect Jesus' love; I want everything coming from me to reflect HIS love and HIS grace. 

I'm not perfect and I am going to make mistakes but it would be so incredibly wonderful if I could do it without judgement and criticism.  I think all of us would appreciate grace when we mess up, so am asking everyone to be the change you would like to see in the world and let's have it start with us.  One situation at a time.  Let's do this together and see what kind of an impact we can make in our families, communities, and the world.

I pray all of you have a safe, happy holiday with those you love!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
God Bless each and every one of you,
Nena