2014-0111 - stuff3 - let go, let God

Yay!  Amy has signed on to this project.  She will be here next Saturday for an initial walk through and for us to start making a detailed plan of action.  Meanwhile, I thought it would be a good idea for me to set down some of my smart goals on paper so I could remember why this is important to me as we get started.  The hard work that is coming means that I need to define what I want out of the project, what I consider a success, and basic guidelines for moving forward.

When Amy comes we’ll discuss details, start some project lists, and discuss a realistic plan of attack so we keep moving in the right direction.  It’s important for me to keep my dreams in front of me so I don’t give up when times get tough.

Goal		let go of the stuff and let God use me
S	Specific	Simplify my life by ridding myself of stuff I do not use. Use the stuff I keep to honor and glorify God. Define Keep or Go Keep – useful stuff we need, like, or use. Sell – useful stuff, with resale value, we don’t need, like, or use. Give – useful stuff, no resale value, others might need, like, or use. Toss – not useful to us or to anyone else. Get Started - Keep or Go?  Keep - Assign forever home.  Go – Assign Rank (Sell, Give, Toss)
M	Measurable	Chart progress Visualize - Take before /after pictures for comparison.  Does it look nicer? Count - Photograph and count bags go items. (Sell, Give, Toss) Define success – Do we have less?  Can we easily find what we want? Quantify Achievements - Time spent.  Money made.  Items purged.  Bags tossed.  Areas organized.
A	Attainable	We Can Do It! - We got rid of stuff before; we can do it again. Recognize Magnitude - It is a big job.  I will need help. The Challenge - Overcome compulsion to accumulate The Solution - Trust God, Trust Amy! Keys to success Stuff - Do not buy more stuff during purge. Keep Tidy - Designate area for Keep and Sell items. GO Items - Get give and toss items out the door quickly. Decide and Move On - Don’t revisit Give or Toss items. Stay Sane - Trust God, Ask for Help. Don’t H.A.L.T. – Don’t get too… Hungry - physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Angry - this will be an emotional time for me, remain calm, stay grateful. Lonely - don’t isolate yourself from your support system, have some fun. Tired - the hoard didn’t accumulate over night; it will not disappear over night; be kind to yourself, plan breaks, rest when tired. Practical and Ethical Guidelines: Keeps - Must have a forever place. Our place doesn’t have a lot of hiding spaces so organizing and putting things away is critical. Sells - Must realistically have enough resale value to justify the attempt.  we don’t want waste time and effort on things that won’t make money. Sells - Must be in good repair and working condition; we don’t want to cheat anyone. Gives - Must be clean and in good condition.  We will not insult others by giving them our trash. Toss - Not usuable or desireable? It is trash. No Impulse Purchases - Necessity purchases and listed purchases for one year. Purge Quarterly - Go through belongings quarterly and make the keep or go decision.
R	Relevant, Realistic	I am embarrased by the condition of our home, because of all our stuff. I am embarrased to invite others to our home because of stuff. I have spent countless hours, aches, and pains, looking for stuff I have spent countless dollars on duplicates because I could’t find stuff. Dusty, disorganized stuff contributes to my health issues and depression. I do not want to live this way anymore. I have argued and compromised relationships over stuff. I don’t want my stuff to keep me from living my life any more. I have a lot of stuff so this could take a while.  I will be kind to myself during this process; it is likely to be an emotional endeavor. I will do a little at a time so I don’t become overwhelmed and quit.
T	Time Bound	I have a lot of stuff so this could take a while.  I need to discuss time-lines and strategies with Amy (my organizer). General Time-lines: Keeps – Must be in designated place or downgraded within 72 hours. Sells - Must be marketed and sold quickly (1 month, next yard sale)so they do not become clutter. Gives – Must be out the door weekly so they don’t become clutter.  Friday is trash day so out the door by Wednesday or change to toss Thursday night for Friday Trash. Toss – Must be out the door Friday morning for the trash pickup.

See, Goal setting can be fun!  Now the hard work starts!  Would you please pray for us?  We need your encouragement to meet these goals.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 (KJV) - He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

My prayer for today…  Dear Lord,  Thank you for showing me the vanity in having so much stuff that I can find what I need; and thank you for the courage to start letting go of these piles!  Thank you for placing Amy in our lives and for her willingness to help us get organized.  Help us keep our eyes focused on You during this process and to draw strength and comfort from your touch and from each other.  Lord, help us remember that you are sufficient to meet all our needs and that we do not need all this stuff.