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Do you get the feeling you need to declutter your mind sometimes? Are you full up on thoughts and distracted by, well, too much?
It’s time to get rid of the bath duck. I have wrestled with this character long enough. He bounces from shower to bathroom floor to bathroom corner to shower. I have been known to enter the shower with him as my counterpart – to my surprise. I don’t know how many times I’ve moved this thing, but I do know I am sick to death of him.
We’ll call him Pete.
One day I was so tired of Pete that I put Sawyer (number one grandson) in him and took him for a ride down the hall to my son’s room (which is now unoccupied). I lifted him out of Pete and forgot about Pete for two weeks.
Actually, I did wonder at Pete’s absence. (Have I mentioned I have Dory Syndrome?) I hadn’t bathed Sawyer at my house in a while so I didn’t really miss Pete – I just wondered. Finally one day I thought to ask my husband what in the world he did with the bath duck. “I didn’t do ANYTHING with it, what did YOU do with it?” Hmmm…
A couple of days later I wandered into my son’s {now empty} room (which I try to stay away from because it needs a renovation and my mind is too tired to deal), and there was Pete.
Ever since then, Pete has leaned sideways against my bedroom footboard.
Reality:
It’s time for Pete to go.
Pete and Re-Pete were sittin’ on a fence. Pete fell off and who was left?
More like Pete fell off and is never coming back, that’s what.
Last week I had the opportunity to give Sawyer a bath – without Pete. He loved sitting in Gigi’s tub without the restriction of the duck.
So why do I still have Pete?
Because I need to have a yard sale, that’s why. I hate yard sales. They’re a lot of work, with little to show for it most times. But it does get the junk out of the house.
My daughter texted to tell me it was time. “You know you need to do it.” I’m being forced into a yard sale. By my own kid.
Who has her own house and her own junk to get rid of and she is being the adult here and nudging me to be responsible.
Why do we keep stuff we don’t need?
Because it takes too many brain cells to clear it out.
Ok, so it stresses me out to sort, but it stresses me out to keep. I know what I need to do.
It’s time for some major purging, ya’ll.
Why declutter your mind
Our minds get like this from time to time. Junked up with unnecessary stuff we’ve let creep in. A stray thought here or there can lead to dwelling which can lead to undesirable actions if we’re not careful to nip it in the bud. (“Just NIP IT IN THE BUD, ANGE!”)
(Sorry, it’s the Andy Griffith coming out in me – life long habits are hard to break.)
If my mind is renewed, it becomes transformed. And that leads me to know God’s will – which is
good
acceptable
and perfect.
Not
junky
full of excess
and hard to wade through.
When my mind is renewed, it's not full of excess junk. Click To Tweet
God’s Word is the ultimate form of renewal, and prayer follows on its heels.
If you wonder why you can’t seem to make sound decisions or figure out what you should do next – you might need to have an old-fashioned yard sale.
Of your mind.
If you struggle with decisions, try an old-fashioned yard sale. Of your mind. Click To Tweet
Ask yourself 3 questions
Organizational experts give advice on how to clean out your junk. Here’s one simple tip to declutter your mind. Ask yourself three questions:
1.) Is it good
2.) Is it perfect?
3.) Is it acceptable?
If you’re like me, you’ve got a lot of things floating around in your gray matter. Thoughts streaming from a favorite television show, a good book, or perhaps a conversation you had on facebook (or maybe one you creeped on).
Are these avenues cultivating a productive thought life?
Jot down 3 things on your mind
Take a minute, grab a scrap of paper, and jot down three things on your mind.
Do they measure up to God’s litmus test: good, acceptable, and perfect?
And if any of those three thoughts involve worry – God says we’re not even supposed to let that take up space in the cerebrum. (I know, I know – easier said than done. However, Jesus said not to…)
What will you toss?
So how about it? I’m getting rid of Pete. I’m also committed to pitching out fear this week. What are you going to toss?
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” ~Romans 12:2, ESV
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Click the picture below to fill out the information and join MTO today. The directions will walk you through!
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Well. Where do I start?
I love Andy Griffith. I have Dory syndrome and can often be found chanting, "Just keep swimming." And I hate garage sales.
This so makes me smile.
But you've also hit the nail on the head about what I need to do to get some clarity in my mind. Thanks for writing this post just for me 🙂 I love how even over bits and bytes, God does that "iron sharpens iron thing," and uses each other to remind us of His truth and His perfect ways.
Praying your getting-ready-for-garage-sale week is productive and your heart and mind follow suit!
Embracing! Christi
YES. All of the above and ditto. Thanks for smiling and empathizing. You've sharpened my iron more than once yourself. Glad we can do this journey together!!
UGH. Hate. Yard sales. Bleck.
Oh Ruthie, you've got me cracking up this morning! I have a couple of "Pete" counterparts I have floating around my house (and my mind) too! I love this post. You are so funny. I have some major downsizing to do to get ready for a move…
But I never thought about de-cluttering my mind. I'm going to cast out worry this week!
Hey again Betsy, you found me on Twitter I see! I'm so glad you were encouraged by this post, as your own words bear a lot of wisdom. I'm happy to oblige the laughs, it's part of the overall goal here at Live Laugh Live so – good!! I prayed for your move today that God will show you answers and clear up details. You certainly have much to offer with your broad range of experience. Keep it up, friend! Your ministry is far reaching!
Ruthie, I think I commented earlier in the day, but are you on Twitter? I think I can't find you there. Just tweeted this post. 🙂
Thanks for tweeting, Betsy! 🙂
Love this! i once heard somebody say if something isn't beautiful or functional, get rid of it. Good words to live by when it comes to the home decor world!
Thanks, Lauren! I've also heard if you've not used it in a year, you don't need it. Now if I can just put that to good use…
Great advice, Ruthie. We have been on a purging mission at our house, too. It is amazing how much stuff accumulates! It is like it comes in and breeds or something. 🙂 Thanks for the laughs and wonderful post!
Comes in and breeds – YES. How does that even happen?! Lol UGH. I need a solid week free from distractions to concentrate on this purge.
Thank you, Cheryl, for your sweet words, I'm glad you enjoyed!
Oh, yes, I can so identify with "the need to have a year sale" and "it takes too many brain cells." Too much work for the return. Makes me shudder too, yet…
Clean out the chaos and life tends to be easier.
Clean out the mess and expect great outcomes, even losing weight according to the latest research. No that's incredible, right?
May I invite you to join the dance at DanceWithJesus Linkup each Friday, if you haven't already found it? SusanBMead.com/blog-2 is the permalink.
Your words would so bless others there, Ruthie. Hugs, Susan
Thanks for the invite, Susan, I have been attending Dance with Jesus – great link up! Enjoy your writings as well. And good luck on your clean out – I just got started on mine. :/
Great stuff here! I'm in the process of decluttering our home, drawer by drawer, room by room. And also my mind. I'm getting rid of worry today. Thanks for such a great reminder to renew our mind as well. I chose the same scripture for my post today. Great minds think alike! Following you at #TestimonyTuesday.
We must have been commenting on each other's blogs at the same time! Lol great minds do think alike! I pray you will cast out that worry today, Julie!
Love your blog, and I am your newest follower 🙂 I love this post and I totally need to have a garage sale!! Soooo much work, but need to declutter! 🙂 I really like how you tied it all together with scripture!
Cathy@threekidsandafish{dot}com
Hi Cathy! I've visited your blog before – I just love your blog title! Thanks so much for following, and I'm doing the same now! And everything is out of my cabinets and sitting on my counters ready for that yard sale this weekend! Woop woop!
Pete! I have never seen one of those but I can also see how he can be in the way no matter where he is! I did smile as I read this. I am nearing a declutter stage and know that I am not looking forward to it, but as you linked this garage sale to the uncluttering of one's mind, I have a little different perspective on this whole process. The three questions asked remind me of Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
Those are what should be in our minds and not all the other clutter.
Thanks for encouraging me this afternoon.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
You are correct – if we empty our minds of the junk, we must fill that hole with the fruits of the Spirit. That is the good, perfect, and acceptable will of God!
Thanks for stopping by!
Love it, using scripture to filter out the bad and keep the very, very good! Thanks for sharing Ruthie.
Nancy! So good to hear from you! I wish I were more connected with the old 31 day post crowd but alas, I’m covered up!!! Thank you. I appreciate you! 🙂