Over the past few days, I had several outdoor opportunities to appreciate the changing fall landscape. One of my favorite things to do is to walk and take photos while breathing in the fresh air, wooded and water scenes, and scents that surround me.  What I enjoyed most on these walks were the lovely surprises. Each one lifted my spirits and made my heart beat faster. The sightings included the bright purple (yes, purple!) berries and the bush with the half red and half green leaf. Each finding inspired a sense of awe, change, and possibilities.

These ideas relate to my organizing work with clients. There are always discoveries as in lost things that get found. There are possibilities inherent in transforming a cluttered space into one that functions as intended; free from unwanted objects. There is the pursuit of change along with excitement about possibilities. Perhaps one of the results I treasure most is seeing how happy my clients are after we’ve cleared and organized a space. They feel lightness, relief, and hope.

So when I notice a leaf changing color or a serene river landscape that too brings happiness, hope, and an opening for new possibilities. I’d like to share some of my recent sightings with you. I hope the scenes inspire you to create your possibility intentions.

Click to watch video . . .

What surprises have you discovered this fall? What possibilities are you noticing? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to come and join the conversation.

It’s one of life’s facts that our view gets obstructed from time to time. What’s funny about that is we don’t always realize when it has happened. Maybe we don’t notice because it happened slowly. Other times we are consumed by the cloudiness and find it challenging to see solutions or possibilities.

Our thinking enters the black and white or extreme zone where we feel as though things will always remain fuzzy. One thing I know is that life isn’t black and white, but a lovely mix of extremes with grays stretching towards both ends of the spectrum.

With autumn in full swing, this season perhaps more than any other emphasizes this idea. Days go from bright, sunny, colorful and crisp to gray, rainy, foggy, and damp. When it’s foggy, how can we break through to see more clearly or just appreciate the mist? How do we make room for possibilities?

The first step is awareness. I’ve identified seven ordinary opportunities for identifying cloudy situations. It is from this awareness that you can forge a path for different possibilities.

7 Ordinary Awareness Opportunities

Waking from Sleep

There is that beautiful moment in the morning when you first awaken. You’re still sleepy and snuggled in your cozy bed. Your alarm just rang or maybe you’ve woken naturally. You lie there and then slowly open your eyes. Things are blurry at first as your eyes adjust to the morning light.

Instead of jumping out of bed immediately, allow a few moments so that you can transition to wakefulness. Let your eyes acclimate to the sun. Take a few, deep breaths. Slowly elongate your body by stretching your arms and legs. Set a positive intention for the day. Notice the sounds, smells, and sensations around you. In this gentle way, you are preparing yourself for the possibilities of the day.

Cleansing the Face

In the morning and again at night I have my face washing routine. I’ve come to realize that this pattern is not just about having a clean face. It’s a self-care ritual that brings me calm and clarity. In the morning when I’m still sleepy, there’s something about scrubbing, toning, and moisturizing that helps me slowly wake up. It’s my cue that the day has begun and that opportunities are before me.

At night, the same routine helps me wipe off the day’s make-up and grime. Cleaning my face in the evening promotes a calm, gentle end to the day. The dirt gets cleansed along with any challenges or stresses from the day. The ritual creates an opening for a restful night. 

Wiping Your Lenses

Do you wear eyeglasses? I do. I need glasses for reading and computer work. While I try to be careful about only touching the frames and not the lenses, inevitably, I forget. I’ll pick up the glasses by the lenses, which makes them dirty. What’s funny about this is that I don’t realize when I’ve done it. I don’t notice that I’ve touched the lenses or that they’re smudged. I could use more mindfulness practice on this one, right?

Instead, what will happen is that after some time, I’ll realize that I can’t see so well. My first thought is, “Oh, no! My eyes are getting worse.” Then I realize that the lenses are dirty, so I clean them. When I put my glasses back on, it’s astonishing how well I can see. How often is our judgment clouded by a belief or assumption? By cleaning our lenses, we can see other possibilities.

Cleaning the Windows

Two of my favorite times of year are when our windows get cleaned. This fall, in particular, the windows had gotten especially dirty. We had the house power washed, and the residue dripped onto the windows. Since our house has a lot of windows, the darkened glass was noticeable. The obstructed view agitated me and negatively colored my day.

Similar to my eyeglasses, I just couldn’t see out as well. Then like magic, the window-cleaning day arrived. One by one, each window was restored to a bright, clear view. As the layer of dust lifted, my attitude became more open and positive.

Returning Home After Being Away

I like traveling, but what I really enjoy is returning home after being away. There are things we stop noticing when we’re around them all of the time. We take them for granted. Leaving and returning allows us to see again what has been hidden from our view. They include things like the comfort of sleeping in your own bed, enjoying your favorite foods, having your supplies at the ready, or being able to navigate in the dark.

When we travel, new environments open us to possibilities. When we return home, we can bring some of those discoveries with us. We can also return a renewed appreciation of home.

Opening Eyes After Mindfulness Meditation

It’s not a requirement to close your eyes when meditating. I prefer to because it helps me be more fully present with my experience. I meditate in the morning. Some mornings the sun shines brightly and other times the day is gray with diffuse shadows. The natural light varies depending upon the weather and time of year.

The experience, however, of having my eyes closed while awake for 10-30 minutes and opening them at the end of the meditation, remains the same. There is that first-moment post-meditation when I open my eyes. Calm floods my being. My physical sight is sharp. Internally I feel more open and accepting of what is before me. I am content in just being, and also ready for what the day will bring.

Appreciating Cloudy Skies

You might have figured this out by now, but I prefer sunny to cloudy days. I like bright colors over dull ones. I love sparkly instead of plain things. I know that all days can’t be glittery, sunny and pleasant. If they were, we wouldn’t fully appreciate them. Recently I was sitting by the river on an overcast morning. I saw a couple taking a walk when they bumped into their friends. They asked them, “Will the sun ever come out?” Without hesitation, their friends said in a sing-song-from-the-musical-Annie-way,“Tomorrow.” And then they all laughed. It made me smile too.

I thought about a few things. Life isn’t always cloudy. There’s always hope. There are still possibilities. The sun will come out eventually. When the clouds are here, they provide an opportunity for contrast, for gratitude, and for finding your way to clearer days.

I’m curious about your cloudy experiences. What resonates with you? What helps you to see more clearly and prepare for possibilities? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come and join the conversation!

We’ve all heard the saying, “If it ain’t broke, don't fix it.”  That goes along the same line of thinking as something being good enough. If it is good enough, is it worth disrupting to make it better?

However, what if something is broken? Is it worth fixing? Broken can include things that no longer work like that DVD player, missing pieces to a game, or favorite a sweater that is well (really well) worn. It can even include negative relationships that only bring angst.

There is also the proactive approach like Gerald Nadler’s. His philosophy describing breakthrough thinkers is,

“Fix it before it breaks.”

Of course, that isn’t always possible.

Our decisions and their effectiveness are based on the quality of the questions we ask. This is true while we’re going through the organizing process, when we’re making big life decisions, or when we’re navigating relationships. So what are the possibilities between good enough and broken? How do we weigh them? How do we know which path to take?

Just to be clear, I’m not advocating that we live our lives without striving. It’s a matter of selecting where our effort gets invested. There are times when good enough is enough and when broken things don’t need to be fixed. Being able to identify those situations can be freeing because it gives us the space to focus on what we feel is most important and meaningful.

I’ve put together a list of questions to get you started. There are no value judgments here. This is simply a guide to help you with decision-making. It can be applied to many different situations. I’m sure that you will think of other questions to add to the list. I welcome your ideas and additions. Please include them in the comment section at the end of the post.

How do we weigh the possibilities between good enough and broken? 

Questions to Ask When Things Are Good Enough . . .

• What will I gain from changing what’s good enough?
• Do I want to make those changes because I’m not satisfied with good enough?
• Do I have the time to invest in making things better than they already are?
• Do I have the motivation to make improvements?
• Instead of fixing what’s good enough, are there other things/situations/people that could benefit more from my attention?
• Where does my desire to improve things originate?
• Is perfectionism involved?
• What are my thoughts about good enough?
• Does the phrase continual improvement resonate with me?
• How does continual improvement relate to good enough?

Questions to Ask When Things Are Broken . . .

• Is it worth fixing?
• If so, why?
• How long has it been broken?
• What would happen if I let it go?
• Is there a value in repairing it?
• Is it worth the time, energy, and resources (financial and/or emotional) to fix it?
• What if I don’t know how to fix it or where to start?
• Would it be more cost effective, time efficient, or less stressful to start with something new, rather then to repair what’s broken?
• What old habits and behaviors might be preventing me from letting go?
• Do I want to invest my time in fixing what’s broken?
• Do I want invest my energy elsewhere?

As we enter this new season, revisit the things in your life that are just right, need fixing, require letting go, or beg for more attention and focus. You’ll find the answers in the questions you ask. Possibilities are waiting. What are you noticing? I’d love to hear your thoughts along with any questions you’d like to add to the lists. Come join the conversation!

The newest installment (v20) of the “What’s Interesting?” feature is here with my recent discoveries that inform, educate, and relate to organizing and life balance. I’ve included unique and inspiring success-related finds, which reflect this month’s blog theme. You are such a fabulous, engaged group and I am so grateful for you. I look forward to your participation and additions to the collection I’ve sourced. What do you find interesting?

What’s Interesting? . . .

1. Interesting Read – Accelerating Your Success 

The Happiness Track by Emma Seppala, Ph.D.

If you are struggling with how to achieve the success you desire, this book has some helpful ideas and strategies that are opposite to what most of us have been taught. In The Happiness Track – How to Apply the Science of Happiness to Accelerate Your Success, science director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University, Emma Seppälä, Ph.D., shares ideas backed by research which support that happiness is “not the outcome of success but rather its precursor.”  Seppälä explores six keys to happiness and success that include living in the moment, tapping into your resilience, managing your energy, doing nothing, being good to yourself, and showing compassion to others. She says, “… you already have all it takes to be happy and successful; that a stress-free and fulfilled life is not only possible but also the secret to personal and professional success.

2. Interesting Season  – Organizing for Success

The truth is that every season is a great season to get organized. In fact, the change of seasons presents us with an opportunity to reset our organizing goals, redefine what success looks like, and bring some balance back into our lives. With fall just starting, the cues for change are all around us. If you want to get organized, but are feeling overwhelmed and stuck, find an organizing buddy. Your buddy can be a compassionate and non-judgmental friend, family member or professional organizer like me. You’ll be amazed with how much you will accomplish in a short amount of time when you work side-by-side with someone else. I’m here to help and am just a phone call (914-271-5673) or email (linda@ohsoorganized.com) away.

3. Interesting Product – List for Success

There are so many approaches to and preferences for managing to do lists. Some of us like paper and others prefer digital reminders. One thing I’ve noticed is that no matter what the list form is most of us crowd them to the point that we become overwhelmed and stuck. So instead of getting a few things done, we do nothing. How can we be more successful list makers? Give Knock Knock’s Reality Checklist a try. The customizable list adds humor and focus to accomplishing not just what’s most important, but what’s truly realistic. 

4. Interesting Video – Secrets of Success

If you’re curious about why people succeed, you’ll enjoy watching this short Ted Talk by analyst Richard St. John. He spent seven years interviewing 500 people and asked the question, “What leads to success?”  The research was distilled into eight common factors (passion, work, focus, persist, ideas, good, push, and serve) that every successful person he interviewed had in common. 

5. Interesting Thought – Bluntness for Success

We can be our own worst enemy when it comes to success. And why is that? We tend to have a litany of reasons why we aren’t good enough or smart enough or worthy enough or fill-in-the-blank-enough to succeed. We decide even before we begin that “it” won’t work. So why try? Let those excuses go. You deserve all the small, medium, and large successes that are waiting for you to experience. 

What are your interesting finds? Which of these resonate with you? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation!