TURNING MESSES INTO ART
/In a movie called, “The American Quilt,” one of the characters was furious at her husband and threw china tea cups at a kitchen wall, shattering the cups into pieces, leaving a huge mess on the kitchen floor. In a later scene, she picks up the pieces and glues them to the wall, making a collage. Although it didn’t speak well of her willingness to forgive, I had to appreciate her creativity.
Yesterday I received an email from someone who is also taking a creative approach to her “messes.”
Yesterday I received an email from someone who is also taking a creative approach to her “messes.”
“It does seem that this summer I have been transitioning to a new plane in my life. With my 59th birthday I was ready to be done with the messes around me: my clutter, my things, my indebtedness. All various forms of chaos that have held me mired and seemingly powerless. But, I always have choices. Always. And that is what I'd forgotten earlier in the last decade…
“As I've chipped away at my mountain of immobility, which is physically manifested by my clutter, I've been amazed at the increase of energy within myself and my life. And two days ago I rented the upstairs bedroom to a new housemate who followed her dream to move to Oregon and came from Illinois on the train with only a suitcase. That's it. She gave away her things and has the trappings of her life in one suitcase… I've made small dents in each area and that's how I'll proceed - like a sculptor working with marble, one chip at a time until the form within is revealed. –M.B.”
“As I've chipped away at my mountain of immobility, which is physically manifested by my clutter, I've been amazed at the increase of energy within myself and my life. And two days ago I rented the upstairs bedroom to a new housemate who followed her dream to move to Oregon and came from Illinois on the train with only a suitcase. That's it. She gave away her things and has the trappings of her life in one suitcase… I've made small dents in each area and that's how I'll proceed - like a sculptor working with marble, one chip at a time until the form within is revealed. –M.B.”
An important key for me is found in this statement: “I've been amazed at the increase of energy within myself and my life.” An over abundance of "stuff” robs us of our energy and is false security at best! Do I really need ten pairs of shoes? Now don't get me wrong - I love gifts and surprised! I am talking about the stuff that accumulates year after year that we tolerate because we don't want to deal with the mess.
Remember the story of the rich young ruler? Jesus told him, “Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (Luke 18:22).
Maybe it is time to plan another garage sale!
Remember the story of the rich young ruler? Jesus told him, “Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (Luke 18:22).
Maybe it is time to plan another garage sale!
