Rather Factor Helps Show Us Our Truth
It’s tough not to get attached. We collect people, things, titles. They bring us comfort: “This is mine.” Over time, it can become “This is me.”
That’s when it can start getting tricky because we forget that “Me” is inside, not outside and identified by all the Stuff. We move from being the empowered “I am” to being the enslaved “I am That”. We move from owning our Stuff, to our Stuff owning us.
We spend time and life energy tending to our Stuff, moving our Stuff from house to house, and shoring up our story of “who I used to be.”
We are, as Epictetus said in 135 AD “weighted down and dragged along.”
At times of transition (and here I mean transition of choice, not one forced upon us) – downsizing, retirement, career change, life change – the letting go of that which no longer serves us can be difficult. The process can be made easier, and more insightful, if we use a two-part process that includes vision, information, people impact, and action.
First, have a vision that truly stirs you. What are you moving to? What is it you want to create? Make space for?
Now hold the item in reality or in thought, and use the Rather Factor. Ask yourself: Would I rather have this item or have this vision?
Example: if I was clearing clutter and held a vision for a cleaner, simpler life, I would pick up one item at a time, and ask: Would I rather have this [extra china] or have a simpler life?
When it comes to special items or people, we need to have information (“Is this the only key to the safe deposit box?”) and be aware of the impact on self or others (I once opted to give away a small sweet gift from my mother – a pewter rabbit inscribed “some bunny loves you”. Should have thought about the impact of that waaay more!)
Lastly, we can take clear action. Bless and release.
This is a win-win approach: either you clear the clutter of what’s weighing you down because your vision is truly important to you, or you discover at each Rather Factor point that you hold on to the item. Perfect! Self-awareness time. So if the vision of “simpler life” doesn’t truly stir you, then what does? What does this thing, person or title represent to you? And why is that important?
It’s all good. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about the clutter. It’s about reconnecting with the Me inside. And it’s about taking to heart that I Am Enough. Let that be the thought that clutters my life.
