Starting Fresh... AKA, Finding Joy...
1 Year _ 365 Opportunities Quote image _Display images if you can_t see it_
January is traditionally known as the month for fresh starts and new beginnings.

Personally, I treat every morning as another opportunity to do my best and as a new beginning, but let's take the traditionalist's view and look at the year as a whole. The following is a life-changing experience that occurred for me recently... enjoy!

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One simple book recommendation changed my life forever.
A few months ago, my friend Patty told me about this amazing book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo and I have to tell you, this simple little book changed my life!

Seriously! Ok, there are tons and tons of articles and books about clearing out clutter but this one is different. Or maybe it just came at the time when I needed it. Either way, what struck me so deeply, I think, is that Ms. Kondo knew about all those little secret things we struggle to let go but that no one else ever discusses.

Things like: Sentimental items. Photographs. Gifts we're afraid to discard because they're from people we're still friends with and what if they notice the gift is gone? Junk drawers. Collections of buttons. Drawers full of papers. Books.
Admit it, you can relate, right?
So I read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up and what she said about these things made total sense. So much sense, in fact, that I immediately went on a two-week-long rampage through my home, literally touching every single thing. Including all my photographs. Including every file and drawer and hanger and box and piece of clothing and jewelry and office supply. Every kitchen tool and antique piece of glass, EVERYTHING.  

And when
Great quote by Marie Kondo _Display images if you cannot see it._
I was done there was a huge pile of stuff to donate, four (count 'em, FOUR) huge Burrtec cans full of trash and recycling, several sets of photos that were sent to other sections of family because they were of their relatives and now, in my home, there are actual empty drawers and cupboards. It feels amazing!

I was shocked by much of what I found stored away. Things I've been packing up and traipsing around with me all over the country but that I truly did not need.  Here are some of the things that were cluttering up not only my home and my life, but also were cluttering up my psyche:
  • Every performance review I had ever had from when I worked in private industry (which ended 20+ years ago)
  • Every tax return with supporting receipts since 1985
  • At least a two foot high pile of photographs of people and places I don't even know
  • At least six banker's boxes worth of paper that hasn't been looked at since it was first 'filed'
  • Two dozen books that I wanted to read, but haven't and probably never will (and now won't, because they are gone)
  • At least 20 wooden spoons when it is just me here -- probably 2 would suffice (I saved 4) and other similarly overstocked kitchen items
  • Two wedding gifts from 1976. One, a butterfly decorative shadow box I gave to a friend of mine who loves butterflies and the other, a glass punch bowl set which was in its original box and has been used a sum total of twice in the last 39 years. Ummm solo cups anyone? The punch bowl got donated. As an aside: WHY have I been packing this up and moving it around for 39 years? (And PS, I've been divorced since 1986 so it wasn't some sentimental attachment.)
The list of excess goes on and on. Too many clothes. Too many dishes. Too much of things I didn't care anything about. And that, my friends, is the key.

Ms. Kondo's point is that we should only keep the things that bring us joy. And as hokey as that sounds, she is right. We all know what it is like to put on clothes that we just wear versus something that makes us feel absolutely FAB-U-lous. Or to have some object d'art that we just L.O.V.E. Or to feel our heart swell when we are around something truly special.

These are the things with which we should fill our lives. Not just fill them to fill them.  

As you start 2016, take a look around and evaluate the things with which you choose to surround yourself. Hold them. Feel them. And ask yourself "Does this bring me joy?" It is my hope they do.

Here is the link for Ms. Kondo's book. It is a quick read: Tidying Magic

A Full Heart
Our Cupid's are here to shoot their arrows in your direction. A few Valentine's gift suggestions:
  • A lovely and personalized gift basket
  • Dinner out with a limousine and champagne (or a classic car in lieu of a limousine)
  • Beautiful flowers, candy and balloons
  • An elegantly wrapped gift from a favorite shop
  • An in-home massage or facial
  • A private chef for an intimate dinner at home
  • Golf -- a round, a lesson, balls and tees
  • Tickets to McCallum or other venue
  • Any idea you can conjure up: we are likely able to realize*
*V-Day reservations book up quickly; please make your requests as early as possible
Image of a hands forming a heart _Display images if you cannot see it_
Share the Love
Do you like to shop on Amazon? And do you like to give to charity? Well then you are going to LOVE this!

There is a program called Amazon Smile where you pick a charity near and dear to your heart. Then when you buy through Amazon Smile instead of regular Amazon -- Which by the way is absolutely no difference for you -- a portion of your purchase will go to the charity of your choice!

It is painless and costs you nothing, but does so much good in the world.

For more information or to sign up, go to Amazon Smile

A similar program is available at Ralphs grocery too. Click here: Ralphs Contributions to learn more.

I can't believe we're in our 10th year! There will be some major announcements for exciting new services in the near future so stay tuned! We continue to grow and, as always, our focus is on exemplary customer service.  We take pride in being the 'go to' company for nearly everything home and personal assistance-related. Here is an electronic copy of our brochure for your files: Executive Errands� Brochure

We work very hard to make what we do for you look effortless. We hope it seems like that to you!

Happy New Year! It is our pleasure to serve you and to continue to care for your homes in 2016 and into the future!

Sincerely,

Leslie Spoor

Leslie Spoor
Executive Errands
CL#944447 
Executive Errands
760-898-9604
[email protected]
http://www.executive-errands.com