Clutter is creating white noise. It masks the beauty of life. It distracts me from my goals. It overwhelms the mind and builds anxiety inside. The essential and necessary things I need in life get lost in the mess. I lose time looking for it and frustrate myself with the time wasted. Complexity creates clutter by moving basics and core skills that keeps me grounded. So what am I doing to pare down? I keep what is essential and one or two things that has significant importance in my life. I sell and donate what I can. I recycle or dispose of the rest.
Archive for the ‘Live Life’ Category
Seeking Simplicity
Sunday, January 31st, 2010Eliminating Bad Debt
Friday, January 29th, 2010Debt is controlling my life like many Americans and other individuals around the world. Instead of being a tool to help be live better, it has become burden that weighs me down and slows my progress in life. This bad debt creates anxiety, worry, and fear. It’s time to free myself. It is a basic process that takes time, patience, and some effort. After doing some research and studying the matter, I’ve found that it’s much like curing a disease. Here are the four steps I will be taking to eliminate bad debt.
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Deferred Dreams
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010I saw it on televised news. I read it in my history books. I’ve done it myself. Individuals and groups push too hard, consume all their resources, and fail to reach their goals. Others made steady progress and suddenly get careless and bet it all only to lose it all. Then there are those who do not commit enough effort, time, and resources to their dreams. They languish and settle on something less than they wanted. Learning from the mistakes and missteps of others is one of the greatest gifts history provides.
Threadless Haitian Relief T-shirt
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
Threadless started pressing a t-shirt, “Many Hands Make the Load Lighter,” all proceeds are going to the American Red Cross. According to the Threadless site, the designers (Thomas De Santis and Ivan Tarrazo Sanchez) declined their printing award, and the printer (Shirts Our Business) donated the printing time and ink. I love Threadless t-shirts. I’ve postponed purchasing their shirts until I lose the unhealthy weight I carry. Today, I’m making an exception to this rule. I’ll be buying a couple of these shirts in addition to donating (under my mom’s name for tax purposes) to the American Red Cross. There’s a sudden need that must be addressed. Our brothers and sisters in Haiti needs our help. Although we may have things going on in our lives, we still must help in need and lift up those who are least fortunate among us.
Year 2010 Goals
Saturday, January 16th, 2010After editing my goals and tightening their focus, three major goals and a few minor goals remained. I want to run a sub four hour marathon by the end of the year, rid myself of credit card debt burden, and help my cousin get her business idea into a functioning business. Smaller goals I pursue are quick and simple. They are the small things that bring balance and harmony in my life such as improving the quality of sleep, keeping my personal space clear of clutter, and sketching blueprints for my future endeavors.
Getting under four hours involves a whole new set of changes from me. I need to be more dedicated to my chosen sport. I have to learn a new way of training to get faster. The unhealthy weight needs to be stripped away slowly. Shedding the unhealthy weight requires to shift into a healthy diet and spend more time creating a healthy calorie deficit. I believe losing weight will be my biggest challenge while I live with my parents. Taking small baby steps will get me there.
After the treatment some credit card companies treated me and after reviewing my credit card statements, I decided to become more active eliminating my debt. Some banks treated me well by keeping my interest rate low. Others decided to raise the interest rates and cut my credit limit. I do not want to carry that burden of debt anymore. My goal is to eliminate at least $10,000.00 in debt this year.
JR approached me with an idea she had last fall. I thought it had potential and told her to start exploring it. I asked coworkers what they thought of the idea and they loved it. As friends of dog owners, I can see her idea thrive as a profitable business. I want to turn her dream into a reality.
How do you eat an entire elephant? One bite at a time. This is how I will be approaching my goals.
Five Goals in Five Years
Thursday, January 14th, 2010Five years down the road, I see myself completing a few major milestones towards reaching my ten year dream. Each goal is a dream in itself. Beyond these milestones, other events will take place in my life such as buying a home for myself, helping others, and growing my circle of friends. Here are my five in five years.
Ten Years From Yesterday, A Look into the Future
Tuesday, January 12th, 2010Looking ten years into the future is a good place to start dreaming. It’s close enough to see yet far enough to reach out to it. It provides time and opportunities to adjust the journey or dream to fit the idea of what we want out of life. A vision farther into the future seems impossible or vague. It lays over the mountain, out of sight. A dream closer to today is too narrow and may shortchange the landscape of a well lived life.
