Every summer when the anniversary of our decision to get organized approaches, we take time out to look back and celebrate that decision.
On June 16, we will have been on the path of organization for 21 years!
That path has had its bumps and ruts, as all life-paths do, but overall we've had an adventurous and happy walk. As nice as it's been though, we wouldn't want to have to turn around and walk back over that same old ground. Isn't it a wonderful plan that God has for us? We never have to go back; we get to go forward. That's why we are so excited with all of the new ideas and prospects that have come to us this last year. Our grandma used to say, "There's always another way." What a nice thought.
Our 3x5-cardfile system is about to have a new baby. We can't tell you anymore about it until it arrives, but when it does, you'll be the first to get the announcement!
In Sidetracked Home Executives we told you that, "You are the heart of your home. You create a climate in your home whether it's one of love or hate, peace or chaos, joy or sorrow, beauty or ugliness, and the choices and combinations go on into infinity." It seems as if we've used the term "heart of your home" forever. Now we want you to consider this thought: What if, instead of you being the heart of your home, your home was the symbol for your heart? If your home is a symbol for your heart, how is your heart doing? Is it broken? Is it in need of repair? Are the arteries (hallways and staircases) clogged? Are the chambers able to serve the functions they were created to serve so that you and your family can thrive? Is the kitchen clean and stocked with healthy food? Is your living room a place where family and friends can mingle and feel your love?
Our perception of getting organized comes from an artistic, poetic, and romantic perspective, We think that getting organized is not a matter of "time" management, but one of "mind" management. However, the mind has no power without the heart. You can decide to do something, but if your heart doesn't agree, you will not do what you decided to do. If you have tried to be organized in the past but your cars are still in the driveway because the garage is loaded with junk, your heart hasn't been in it. Same thing with your closets. If you still haven't started that exercise program, your heart hasn't been in it. If you're buried in an avalanche of paper that seems to roll into the house and office through holes that weren't there when our foremothers ran their households, your heart hasn't been in it. If your sentimental things aren't sentimental because they're stored in mystery boxes down in the basement, up in the attic, and/or in a rented storage unit or two, your heart hasn't been in it. If you haven't faced your finances and surrendered to the truth that you're not living within your means, your heart hasn't been in it.
Your heart will be in it when you can shift your perception from "I have to get organized," to "I get to be organized." Up until now, it has been your mind that has been telling you that you "must" get organized while your heart has been singing Born Free. It isn't part of God's plan for us to keep treading over the same old dirt. We're all created and put on this earth for a purpose as unique as our fingerprints. Disorganization can muddy up our purpose for being here; but as we have realized in our own struggle to stay on track, each of us has been given all the equipment we need to finish our work and fulfill our purpose. We want you to know that if we could get organized anyone can. We understand what a pain it is to be sidetracked without intention. We love you without knowing you personally because we are linked in mind and spirit.
We want you to laugh and know that despite the human moment, the truth is, everything is all right.
We have stayed in business for more than two decades because our hearts are in it. We are recording a. 2-hour program on cassette tape, highlighting our last 21 years as Sidetracked Home Executives. On the tapes we'll read several selected passages from some of our books (especially those dear to us which are unfortunately out of print).
We've also gathered some of the gems from our old newsletters. We'll read letters of success and encouragement from women who share our sidetracked nature and we'll confess a few of our own secrets that we wouldn't want to see in print. We'll share obscure original poems and "for your listening pleasure" we'll even sing one of our Slob Songs, acappella. You'll hear our recipes for "Moose in Almost a Minute," "Hungryman in a Blanket" and "Wiener Schnitzel Michelin." Since we're always hearing from our readers that our family seems part of theirs, we'll give you an update on our family as it 92s grown and changed.
For all of the "how-tos" we'll give you, you'll also hear the more important "whys." In 21 years of transition from pigpens to paradise we are currently working on a new book with a sacred message that we will share with you. We will tell you about the GIFT of order and it's no coincidence that those four letters stand for God, Imagination, Focus, and Thanksgiving.
God bless your home!