From the Tao Te Ching #63 – “Confront the difficult while it is still easy; accomplish the great task by a series of small acts.”
It’s easy for things to accumulate. Our sheds are evidence of that. Every year. Attention gets spread thin and when the day is finally over the last thing you want to do is clear the clutter. Some people like a clean, minimal space. Others prefer a little organized chaos. Neither is better or worse than the other. It’s a matter of preference.
When your environment doesn’t match your preference, you experience inner conflict. Most of us tend to just brush it aside but over time the mismatch can get worse. You know, then, that it’s time to do something but the task might be so big that it’s hard to get started. Lao Tzu’s advice may be helpful, “Accomplish the great task by a series of small acts.”
This week’s practice:
Make a space yours. Whether it’s a small square on the desk or your whole bedroom, make it yours. Start small and work your way outward. Set the timer for one minute or just pick up one thing and put it where you want it to go. Sometimes the first step is enough to start the journey.