Lending a Helping Hand––to Myself!
I’ve decided to make some changes to my life this new year. Maybe you’re doing the same. For example:
I’m hiring a cleaning service once a month.
I’m hiring someone to repot my house plants.
I’m spending some of my travel savings to attend a spiritual retreat.
I’ve ordering five new cozy mysteries for my Kindle.
I’m going to visit my son and his wife in Nevada where they recently moved.
I’m hiring a professional to clean and refurbish my fireplace.
I’m going through my clothes closet and tossing what I don’t want, need, or wear anymore.
I’m organizing and downsizing items in my garage.
And I’m going to applaud myself for making these changes, some of them long overdue.
The great Florence Littauer, Christian author and speaker, who has been a friend and mentor to me over the years often said, “Play to your strengths and hire out to cover your weaknesses.”
I’m taking her advice–at long last.
What are you doing differently this year? I’d love to hear about it.
We can’t pour from an empty cup . . . so I’m going to do my best to fill my cup and then share.
Good for you ! I am sorry I did not start “cleaning out” about ten years ago before I HAD to clean out so I could move to live with my daughter and son-in-law. THEY had been wanting me to move for a few years and finally when I broke my foot and was in a brace I had no choice. Hard to realize we cannot do for ourselves but I am one of the fortunate ones who has someone who WANTS me! I mean this literrally-not trying to be funny. My condo sold right away and I had no choice about moving SOON. God was so good to us and all of this happened when my son-in-law ( a teacher ) was on spring break and we got it all done!! We went thru things together and it was such a pleasure to find people who could use some of my furniture and “bric-a-brac” that I had loved for so many years. We brought things that we sorted later to give to our church when they had their spring and fall “yard sales”. My point is this : take it from one who has experienced it and do these things while you are healthy enough to do it as when we are not able it is very difficult. More power to you Karen. You are one smart cookie!!
Love you. Margaret
Thanks for sharing your experience, Margaret. How blessed you are to have such an awesome daughter and son-in-law.
Dear Karen, I love this list and feel excited about making changes just reading it. Thanks for your inspiring posts.I especially like the hiring out items. I don’t know why I think I have to do it all. This year I’m going to start my day picturing myself putting on the full Armor of Christ. I’m going to have more fun when exercising, dance while listening to oldies rock and roll songs, plant more succulents, and replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations.
Wow Pam! You’re on a roll. Go for it. You’ve inspired me and I imagine all my readers too.
love this, Karen. So many of those little nagging things I want to take care of, “when I get some time…” That just puts it off until later—things that are NOT my strengths and I am not good at, so I defer it. Wow. I love that last quote, “Play to your strengths and hire out to cover your weaknesses.”
My goodness. This sounds like a terrific plan.
Let us know how it goes for you, Heidi. We can find strength in each other and as Pam mentioned above, by putting on the full armor of God each morning.
I downsized and moved to a mobile home less than half the size of my former house. I got rid of LOTS of stuff and I’m still unpacking boxes and trying to find things. Just last week I found my Christmas jewelry. The hardest thing about moving is that you can’t go home from it.
Thanks, Janet, for updating us on your move and the changes you’ve made. I hope you will be happy in your new and simpler setting.
Fabulous Karen. You are such an inspiration! Big clearing out needed and going to happen for Don and me this year too! Clothes! Garage! Dishes not used! Books! Saved recipes that need to be organized! SO …. let it begin! Now we need to stay home and not entertain so often to accomplish these tasks …. difficult as we are such social and busy beings ….. however there are those times when we simply sit and do nothing!! We need to be active then and go for it! Appreciate the nudge dear friend and we are SO proud of you and your moving forward with these goals. See you soon hopefully, We are in SD this week!, BIG HUGS, K and D ❤️❤️😘😘
Thanks for sharing all this, Kathleen. I appreciate your support. I hope you and Don will tackle your list and feel the better for it. Much love in return.
I agree with so many of the other comments I’ve read. One thing is for sure, you are a great inspiration to so many of us. Keep posting these wonderful articles! I just love them (like I do you)!!
Sending love and hugs across the miles. 🙂
Thank you, Glenda. I know you are always in my corner as I am in yours. 🙂
Good for you Karen! I love that you’re hiring out some things others can do in order to free you up for those things only YOU can do. I’m planning to say no more often, along with many yeses!
Thanks, Carol. You have inspired me by the way you and Don moved from a big house to a smaller one, giving up some things, saving others and the result being a beautiful example of the two of you.