This week finds me sitting at a small octagon table instead of a very large desk. The amount of room created when the desk left is amazing. Several times a day I find myself just standing here in this room, reveling in the simplicity and wide open space I've created. It feels so different and so good.  

Detaching a sign of growth. The garage sale was a big success, again, thanks to the Stellar Real Estate Group who did all the advertising, and we made nearly $700 (for our upcoming Alaska cruise), but the desk did not sell.  It's sitting in my garage, my car is in the driveway, and if it doesn't sell on Craigslist in the next week it will be donated to a favorite non-profit, Family Promise of Greater Denver. A few years ago this would have been traumatic for me. I paid nearly $2000 for this 5-pc. desk unit and am now willing to sell ($500) or donate...and it's okay.  What processes do we go through that get us to a place where stuff no longer holds us captive?  What changes occur that allow us to put our stuff in the driveway or the donation truck and no longer panic at a perceived loss?  

Second life for stuff.  This is the title of a booklet my friend Sally Kurtzman makes available with hundreds of places in Denver to donate just about anything. (If you want a copy, email me and I'll send you an electronic copy.)  Two things happen for me that make letting go easier. First, if I know it's going to someone who will use it and give it a second life, that helps.  People at our garage sale were excited and happy about their new purchases and shared what they were going to do with them. Out went the antique trunk, for a little girl's toy box; the l930s lamp that belonged to Bob's grandparents went to an older couple who wanted a lamp that was 'substantial' (brass and marble); the rocking chair Bob and I worked on together 40 years ago, amazingly, went to the lady across the street--I know it has found a good home!  And books, CDs, outdated stereo equipment and a box of LPs also found useful second lives with new owners.  The other thing that happens for me now is my belief in 'everything is connected'. My stuff no longer feels so removed from me in a negative way because I can picture who has it. It still feels connected to me but in a healthier, more positive way.  It feels good to think my stuff has found purpose with someone else who will use, love and need it.  

Simplified Success. When we cleaned up on Saturday, this is all that was left for the ARC charity donation pick up. I couldn't believe it!  I did take about 100 books and 40 CDs to the library for their annual fall book sale fund raiser and the desk is in the garage along with a 2-drawer metal file cabinet. And I will try to find a home for the glass etched fireplace screen. But that's it. Honest! Everything else is gone.  Our credit union is having a free shred day so I'm taking my 100# on Saturday and that will feel fabulous to have that shredded and gone.  And the bathroom is just about finished. We're ready to move the vanity back in and hook up the sink.  It's feeling better and better in here every day.