There's a Finnish proverb that states, "Happiness is a place between too little and too much." I thought of this saying as I passed time in an airport shop recently, taking in the array of March magazine covers on display. "Where Is Your Happy?" "Make Today Happier!" "25 Ways to Bring Happiness to Your Life." Whoa. Seriously, over a dozen publications shouting the same message. Are we that effed up? By the time I boarded my flight, I felt a touch inadequate, particularly paranoid. "Surely I'm not in the "too-much bucket," but I am in "too little"?" "Do I think I'm happy?" "How do I know?" "Does being happy I escaped middle-seat-hell on this flight count?" If I were fragile and naive, methinks I'd be slightly suicidal. Damn.But wait! What is "happy," really? And who decides the definitions? Doesn't this qualify as a subjective concept, based on one's own personal experiences, wants, needs, values, situations, etc., etc.? As I fell into my seat I wondered why now, on the eve of Spring, "happy" was a trending topic at the newsstands. Isn't the end to a dark, icy depressing winter estatically sufficient enough? Can't we make do with the promises of Spring Break, Spring Training and spring flowers? Apparently not. The concept of Spring cleaning has been transformed to include not only the clutter in our closets, but also the messiness in our minds, in our lives.
Only two months ago, many of us became steadfastly resolute about diets, commitments to watch our language, shop less, exercise more...we all know where we are on those personal journeys at this moment. Many of us fell off the rah-rah wagon long ago; Super Bowl weekend is a killer for most plans that involve eating, drinking, smoking, gambling, and a host of other vices. But now, in March, without guilt, "Spring cleaning" can be a checkpoint of sorts, to examine progress and get back on track if need be. A new day, a fresh beginning. And the easiest way to rev up to a new start is to realize the connection between our selves and our space.
Principles of feng shui, an ancient Chinese art defined as the path to happiness and success through one's living and working environments, suggest that clutter drags your energy down. Similar to the ancient art of acupuncture, the goal is to promote free-flowing chi, or good energy. Experts in the practice will tell you that disarray is stagnant and blocks the blessings of positivity, prosperity, harmony and good health. Now, although you don't need a 3,000-year-old science to tell you what your mother used to back in the day ("Clean this damn house or I'm gonna ruin your weekend!"), it's good to know she was on to something. Mama was always a little more mellow when the house was clean...
I propose you work on both your space and self simultaneously. (Hell, time is short these days; we all need to learn the value of multi-tasking.) Dust with diligence: brush dirt from the blinds to welcome the longer, sunnier Spring days (space); blow dust off those old ideas and activities you've set aside, and get moving, be adventurous (self)! Comfort is key: purge old, useless collectibles like clothes that no longer fit, as well as ill-fitting relationships. (Think about it.) Sort through piles rather purposefully: unopened mail creates the same clutter as unchecked memories. File those important, useful pieces and chuck the rest! Go deep and ditch dirty habits, toss toxic behaviors and quit unfulfilling jobs, organizations and affiliations. (Sounding personal, now, hunh?)
You get the idea. "Clean your clutter, change your life." Read like a true cover story feature line! Because the real point is to have more time, energy and maybe even money to do the things that actually make you happy. So try it. Start small. Sing in the shower. Practice yoga. Play with your dog. Volunteer!! Explore new places. Spend time with family. Clean your purse, your desk, your car, your damn house. (Mama said.)
