Why We Leave Home--Duplicate

Earlier published on December 31-2013

Now republished here....as a reminder....What becomes of those who choose to leave the familiar shores!!

Sun Streaming through a church roof: Spain 2009

Mount Rainer: Washington, 2009

Zip Line: Drakensberg, South Africa, 2012

Following is quote from my favorite shows, Northern Exposure about what happens to us when we leave home!!  Thought, it would be inspiring for the new year!!



BERNARD STEVENS 
As you may know, I spent the last three months in Africa. A wondrous, magical place. But as shadows lengthen across the KBHR window, thoughts turn to homecoming. Journey's end. Because in a sense, it's the coming back, the return which gives meaning to the going forth. We really don't know where we've been until we've come back to where we were. Only, where we were may not be as it was because of who we've become. Which is, after all, why we left.

Clutter, Cleaning and Clarity

This was the much organised scene of crime...well my room, where all the papers were spread out, because this place has the largest free space where I live. No centre table allows me to sit and spread all the papers, as I organize them.

Organizing paper is no small feat.  Things can fall into bills, paid bills with warranties, bills to to be paid, visiting cards--to be kept, to be thrown, papers in progress, readings for articles to be written, letters from friends that need to be answered, and those that need to be saved, cards and pictures in different places

This is how it looked after about 5-6 days of constant working on each piece of paper. 

Nope, this did not get cleared, it went onto a table, which five days later still needed to be fixed and organised

But for my own sanity, I cleared this area, so I could sit down for a cup of tea and actually imagine that my living space was clean. While papers and much organisation still needs to be done. 

Been reading Mary Kondo's Book the Magic of Tidying Up for over a year. May be longer. Not regularly.  But I know that at least a year ago, I started to do some major shifts. Actually, I have always wanted to be organised, and may be for some time I really was organised   But incessant movement has not allowed me the sanity or to even think of what and how I want to organise. And despite the fact that I have lived in this space for sometime--longer than I ever lived anywhere outside of India---I am barely getting organised. And despite my best intentions, my living space get disorganised.  Mary Kondo says it is a reflection of our mind and state of being.  I have worked really hard to change that and think that I achieved at least some 'level of organisation'----but....well, after weeks or organizing and after the above state of things...my place was back to the following....in less than a week.  

I am hoping that it only means that more is being cleared, that layers of disorganisation are being removed and the clutter from my life is being thrown away.  There are times when I feel that way.  As, I know that people have come in and moved out of my life. Some people's presence has become distant --some others have intensified.  But I have definitely felt that with every cleaning that something inside of my gets organised, that I find a piece of myself.  And for some strange reason, my tea feels tastier and food seems more delicious. 

Clutter needs to be cleaned and organised. Once it is in the process, we usually start to see things clearly.  And for me, that process has started.  At least I feel so.  

Cannot help but bow in gratitude!! Clarity--no matter what the degree--is like sunshine--more important in scandinavia of our lives!! 😜😜😜😜