Spring cleaning

For so many years I have never really had to spring clean.  The military always took care of that for me because I usually had to move.  All of our belongings would be loaded up in boxes and onto a large truck, we would be left with an empty house to spruce up for the next occupant, and then would meet up with our belongings at a new house, in a new town, generally a new state, with a new life just waiting to unfold.  We would begin busily arranging furniture in our new home, and then unpacking the belongings with an opportunity to clear out any excess.  Spring cleaning was pretty much mandated for us.  Along with the physical spring cleaning, emotional and mental spring cleaning usually took place as well.  A new locale meant old hurts could be left behind, as well as old ways and maybe even old identities if need be.  It was a fresh new start thanks to the military.  

As this spring approaches, I am feeling unusually bogged down.  I was having trouble putting my finger on exactly what was going on then I realized, I need to spring clean!!  We have been in our home for almost 4 years now.  That is the longest I remember living in any one place for my entire life.  I did live in a town for the first seven years of my life, but after that, I have moved, on average, every 2 years.  In the past I have begun to get restless, but that is not the feeling I am having now.  It is hard to describe the actual emotion I am experiencing.  Life has gotten the best of me in the last little while.  I am ashamed to admit that, but the first step to healing is admitting, so there it is.  I have allowed life to live me.  That is unacceptable.  And yet, describing the state of my mind, heart, and emotions at this point still is just out of reach.  So the analogy of spring cleaning fits perfectly.  

My home definitely needs some spring cleaning.  It is plain old amazing how much stuff a family of six can accumulate in almost 4 years!  Another thing that amazes me is exactly how much is in my home that I haven't used in those four years.  Time for a yard sale, or a large donation.  

Another amazing thing about physically spring cleaning your home is how it can actually clean up the emotions and mental state of mind.  I don't know about you, but when a task seems overwhelming, I have a very difficult time taking that first step to begin.  I am intimidated by the daunting task.  My intimidation leads to a feeling of inadequacy, which ultimately leads to a feeling of insecurity, that tailspins me into a depression, thus leaving me in a place that always needs to be spring cleaned.  

It took some heavy bricks from God to get me to realize how silly I have been.  I mean honestly, it was either pack up and move, or get off my duff and take care of business.  I am quite content where I am currently living, and the army has no plans of moving us, so the latter option is the path I must take.  Time to arm myself with clutter busting gadgets and gizmos. I do believe my home, family, and inner-self will thank me.  OH, and if you don't hear from me for awhile, send out a search party, I might have gotten lost, or better yet, send allergy meds because I might be overpowered by the dust bunnies!