Bliss and Disorganization
Notes on moving
 
Last week, our office found a new home.  For the last 3 months, we have been in the process of moving.  Anyone who has ever moved (and who hasn't?) knows the sinking feeling of seeing the old structure tumble down.  The old desk and file cabinets disappeared.  Files went through a major purification process.  Beloved books needed to find a new home.  Pens and pencils got rattled and many were dismissed.  Phone and electric cords were pulled out of hiding places and forced to go through a chiropractic realignment and disentanglement.  Fax and phone took a nasty vacation and were unavailable. 

All of that made my Emotional Self somewhat anxious.  She likes safe, cozy environments, where she can feel free to be.  I had to explain to her the benefits of restructuring.  I explained that for a new skin to grow, the old has to shed.  "Who wants," I said, "a lot of old skins piled up one on top of the other?"  It did make sense to her.  "And," I continued, "if you love designing new spaces and discovering new shapes and colors, you must let go of the old ones."  "Can't we keep the old and just add the new stuff?" she asked.  "There is not enough space," I said.  She cringed, but the idea of picking new, exciting colors and shapes enticed her.  I let her choose some of the old elements that she loves, like the bookshelves and some pictures and we brought them into the new office.   It is very important to keep one's Emotional Self happy.  And she was.  It feels like she is slowly relaxing and beginning to have fun. 

This process of shedding is continual on all levels: from actual skin cells to emotions, beliefs, and people.  We constantly need to let go and renew.  It is nature's way.  Many times, it is not an easy process, even though it is natural.  Take yourself by the hand and, with abundant kindness, guide yourself through the shaky grounds of transitions. 

Nomi Bachar