The Joy of New-Ness
The Joy of New-ness!
I've received some intriguing revelations during our recent relocation. I've felt a distinct joy and exuberance directly connected to a sense of renewal. It's not just the idea of being in a different home...it's looking at things differently. Here are a few examples:
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Old appliances seem new when housed in a different cupboard
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Old pictures appear new when positioned in a different room or on a different wall in the same room
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It's easy to give things away when you're contemplating where they will fit in a new space
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It's really easy to give things away when you realize you have no emotional connection to them
I've been surprised at how many seemingly important things I chose to pack and move, only to place directly in the "donations" box upon unpacking. What happened? My hunch is, in the flurry of overwhelm during packing, I lacked the capacity to rationally evaluate individual items.
I can't tell you how many things I've unpacked and asked myself, "Why did I pack THIS???"
It's interesting how feelings about things change.
New-ness Changes Feelings
The analogy I can find is when someone takes a new job or begins a new relationship. The "newness" always means something from the past changes. Maybe there's an outfit you used to love to wear, but for some reason it doesn't seem "right" in your new work situation. Maybe there's a restaurant you loved in the past, in which you'd never consider dining with your new partner.
It's important to remember the past is a memory. And, if we live our lives trying to make the memory real again, we can't possibly enjoy today.
I love the saying, "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift...that's why they call it the present".
PLAYTIME
If you would like to experience feelings of newness and renewal, I have an idea for you. Schedule a little chunk of time...maybe as much as a few hours. Pick a room or an area in a room in which you'd like to experience a sense of renewal.
First, take everything off the walls and pack everything from the room into boxes. I know it seems funny, but I want you to touch everything. And, as you touch each item in the room, see if you feel an emotional connection. If not, put it directly into a "donation" box. You can always get it back out if you realize the connection is there. But, for now, put those things aside.
Once everything is off the walls and in boxes, change the furniture. Move it around. Add a piece from another room or take a piece away. If time, energy and finances permit, paint at least one wall in the room a different color. Any color. Something new, interesting, different.
As you "rebuild" your room, again touch each item, looking for the emotional connection. Allow yourself to add more things to the donation box if there's still a lack of connection.
Place items in new locations, group things differently, change as much as you can in your "renewed" space. And, when finished, allow yourself to feel and experience the new feelings that arise in your new space.
Choose to live In Joy!
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