We are all in this together, colluding in this complex system called life.
Our relationship with tension determines our success in life
There is a functional relationship with tension that stimulates our imagination and our creativity. Look at puzzles, art, music, jokes, home project, something new etc. Anything that causes a discrepancy, generates tension.
It is our relationship with tension that then causes the end result (positive or negative).
I know you probably re-read that last statement once or twice more... and some of you are still wondering what the heck I am on about. Hang in there with me.
Let me give you an example. Say for instance that I am a perfectionist (BTW this example is about someone I know... no really, it is)... and I need my home to look hotel perfect. Then I would constantly see 'stuff' in my home that is different to how I think it should be. This is the discrepancy. So I would experience a tension. This tension would demand action to resolve it. Some may clean, some may rearrange, some may hide the non-perfect items, some may go shopping to upgrade. Once the tension is resolved, life can go on.
I believe my relationship with tension has resulted in me participating in the consumerism culture. A whole host of tensions have driven me over the years... and mostly I was unaware till now. Doing this year long challenge has brought all of them to the surface. I love this because I get an opportunity to see them. And even this creates tension.
The way I deal with this now is, I simply don't resolve it. I let it be. It is not a real thing. It is my relationship to the discrepancy. Over many years I have developed a great relationship with tension. So now when I see 'stuff' online, at friends places, when I can't find something to wear, need something I don't have etc I just let it be and don't go into action to resolve it.
This totally disconnects me from that consumerism culture. Instead I use my functional creative side to resolve the tension in favour of how I choose to live.
How does this relate to the gone-ski pile?
Instead of resolving the tension of the long day by watching TV and numbing out, I will jump up and go through a box of stuff and continue this clear out.
Instead of going op shopping on the weekend, I will spend quality time doing something my family wants to do. We are seeing more movies, going out to the beach, playing board games, reading books etc. You get the picture.
Small changes lead to BIG results.
Cheers from Deb (hanging out with my good buddy, Mr Tension)
What went out - 1 items
An old Metronome that was lent to us by a friend who told me to pass it along
What came in - 2 items
More DVDs arrived in the post. Jerry said "I'm not helping am I honey?".. we laughed. Then he responded "they were on the wish-list". Oh yeah right, pull that card out!
INSIGHTS
(1) The time between unconscious tension and (re) actions is expanding and allowing conscious choices more often.
(2) I want to make a cake on the weekend... maybe lemon and yogurt. YUM!!!
TOTAL: OUT - 808 IN - 116
TOTAL CASH sales from gone-ski items = $48
We are fully back into the swing of it again.
More DVDs arrive!!
We got a package in the mail last night. It was another DVD for Jerry. We definitely need to find a solution for the media. We are looking at two options: (1) get them all on a media server and then clear the hardcopies out of the house or (2) put them into these cool sleeves and store them in a draw. The solution will arrive when we are ready. No rush right now.
Time to tackle the stationery
I'm not sure if you are like me but I love stationery. I think it may be the girls equivalent to Bunnings (Home Hardware etc).
I haven't bought much in the last many years but I just love it. I have some boxes in the office (3rd bedroom) that have bibs and bobs in them. I think tonight I might do a box. Perhaps if I do a box a night I can cull this stuff. To be honest I haven't used the things in those boxes for years and years... in fact I don't really remember what is in there.
The good news is I don't buy it anymore...but what is the fascination? Why do quality papers, gorgeous pens, highlighters, tabs, binders, stickers, notepads, etc appeal so much? What is this cellular juice that runs through my body when I am in Office Works?
Bizarre!!
I think I am going to explore this a little. Next time I am near an Office Works store I am going to go in and walk around and see what is going on. Discover what it is that has me get all worked up about this STUFF. It's so odd because it is not like I use it all or need it all. Basically I know I get by with a couple of pens and a notebook. Interesting hey?
Cheers from Deb (o-PEN to change)
What came in - 1 items
A DVD - an oldie but a goodie
What went out - 6 items
Sammi to the rescue. She went through her DVDs and 6 went out. She rocks!
INSIGHTS
(1) I use a small percentage of the STUFF we have
(2) There is something other than 'need' driving decisions
TOTAL: OUT - 806 IN - 116
TOTAL CASH sales from gone-ski items = $48
Oh dear... possibly a tsunami level of inward flow at the Jackson house.
You Won't Believe What Came Into The House This Weekend
I enjoyed a lazy morning in bed reading a book... actually, I read through to 1pm and then had a little sleep. Loved it! Meanwhile hubby went off to enjoy his passion at the local DVD store which was closing down... sign of the times hey? It was an opportunity for him to pick up some classics missing from his collection. INCOMING WARNING!!
I didn't realise what this meant until I saw the pile. 36 DVDs made there way into the house. Oh boy!! It started a conversation about moving all the DVDs to an online medium. This would enable us to get ALL the DVDs out of the house. Jerry was saying this was not as easy as it sounds. Time to research me thinks.
In the mean time we may have come up with an interim solution. The issue with the amount of DVDs we have is the space they take up. We have a little home and 300+ DVDs take up quite a lot of space. It may be more than this... have to count them.
The solution we are going to try is to put each DVD in a sleeve and keep the cover art with the sleeve. We will convert a drawers into a DVD storage system like they do at the DVD stores. It will take up so much less space. Don't know exactly how this will work however the end result will be the bulky plastic cases will be gone-ski . One option is something called Discsox. It appears they are high quality sleeves just for this purpose. I will let you know how we go.
This will enable us to take the (somewhat ugly) cabinet out of the lounge room. This will clear the space in readiness for the lounge room makeover we have planned.
What came in - 36
36 DVDs - classics
What went out - 1 items
1 top I don't wear
INSIGHTS
(1) Finding a solution to the things you cherish is fun to do
(2) Piracy creates the need to protect from theft yet hampers all users making copies of items they have purchased. A strange industry.
TOTAL: OUT - 797 IN - 112
TOTAL CASH sales from gone-ski items = $48
