Saturday, January 31, 2009

Orderliness : Start and End on the Right Note

The orderliness of my life can be very easily measured. What I do at the start of the day and how I end my day reflects the degree of order and control I have over my spirit. That is why I make it a point to be the first person to wake up in my family. Those quiet morning moments are so precious for me to collect my thoughts and order my thinking. When my own spirit is in control at the start of the day, I find it relatively easier to have a restful response throughout the day.

At the end of the day, I would read and reflect. Much of what happens during the day are lessons that needs to be "digested" upon. Avoid watching TV or movies to sleep because the last few images of the evening hours can impact your quality of sleep. Deliberate conversations and "coffee time" with my wife is an excellent way to unwind.

Orderliness is "arranging myself and my surroundings to achieve greater efficiency". There is no better place to start than with own thoughts at the start and end of the day. Be in control of your thinking and attitude - that's true orderliness that is from the inside out!

Friday, January 30, 2009

Orderliness : Remove Before Replace.

Orderliness is defined as "arranging myself and my surroundings to achieve greater efficiency." One lesson learned during this past month as my wife and I did a major "restructuring" at home is that the new cannot reside if the old is not removed. To be orderly entails a willingness to let go of hindering elements so that space is created to accommodate new habits of efficiency.

What we remove from the house was our 10-foot long TV cabinet! Our purpose is to create more space in the living room for conversation and small group gatherings. Ever since Astro was eliminated from my family a few months ago, we now have the liberty to introduce other activities in the house. And that brought about ... greater orderliness.

What is the "10-foot long" obstacle in your life right now? It could be a self-indulging hobby or an unhealthy preoccupation with certain "toys". Bring order into your life by placing higher value on what is indispensable and being tough enough to get rid of what is dispensable. What is the indispensable in life? You guess it - right relationships.