Declutter our hearts

I’ve been quiet for a time. All the holiday work rush refuses to be overtaken, and once again, we find ourselves wishing we could add one more month to the year, just to tie things up. But then, work will just continue to pile up and the things to do will never end. But I am not complaining.  Well, maybe a little, when I wish I could just put my feet up and enjoy a party.

Actually, I cannot picture myself totally doing nothing. I think I would feel empty so I fill up my time doing something, anything, even while doing something else. But I do not advise you to do this all the time. The repercussion is lack of focus, as one’s mind moves quickly from one thing to another, not lingering, except when the subject is of great importance and interest.

So what really brings attention? Importance or interest? We can debate on this all day. In journalism, I would say, importance come foremost, coupled with timeliness. In marketing, interest ranks first, considering that we have to keep our customers interested in our product enough to continue patronage, and maintain recall.

In today’s very distracted world, getting one’s attention is crucial. In fact, it seems like interest spurs so many things, and keeps business moving, that’s why there is such a thing as trending. It is important to keep your product top of mind. So much so that people may eventually perceive it as important, even if it isn’t entirely so.

I have realized that even in my choice of gifts for my family and friends, I battle with what I think they need, and what I notice interest them. What gifts would they keep? And what gifts would either be passed on or just lie abandoned in one’s cabinet?

When I look at the stash accumulated through the years, I find joy in knowing how my friends have remembered me. Being sentimental, I relish the memories each item brings me. On the other hand, the practical side of me finds some of the things I have waiting to be shared. If I noticed my gifts Now that I think about it, it is true. I find so many things in my buffet table drawers, unused. I cannot even recall who gave them to me anymore.

Accumulating unnecessary items clutters your storage, making you realize how much you’ve kept that holds neither interest nor importance to you. This made me reflect on the things we place our time on. How important are the activities we find ourselves immersed in? How much of it is relevant and fosters deep connections with what matters? In fact, what matters most? Is the pursuit of wealth as important as the building of strong relationships? In our relationships, how many of them are of substance and how many are consequential? How much deadwood have we placed in our hearts with the weight of hurt that we may also have carried for some time?

In business, we strictly take out unnecessary inventory through sales or giving, because they just use up much needed space for new stocks. As we do so, we delight those who can make better use of them. Hopefully in life, we can do the same, evaluating what is vital, and letting go of the insignificant space-bearers.

Let’s declutter our hearts everyone! Merry Christmas!