"A single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives."
Henry Thoreau
This quote reminded me of the courage and detemination those of you who I work with and hear from live every day, no matter where in the world you call and write from in reaching out for the help you need.
It reminded me of the wisdom each of you show in explaing to me how you need me to act on the respect I have for your needs and pace.
It reminded me of witnessing how your successes are sometimes small and incremental, not life remakes in a televised hour. I hope you remember that so that you value the small things you do everyday and don't become invalidated and impatient for lack of those "Hallmark Moments"
I would like to to celebrate some of my 2010 memories with you. I hope they demonstrate that success is not diminished by how many time you fall, it is defined by getting back up.
HATS OFF TO:
- those of you who started, became afraid and in response shelved the idea of counseling only to call back months and sometimes a year later to say "OK NOW I"M READY!" and began again
- those of you without the funds to pay for services, made and continue to honour arrangements which give you what you need and cost you what you can manage without hardship for as long as it takes!
- to "seasoned" individuals who have Hoarded for a long time and now are brave enough to face down the "ghosts" in counseling and build the re-claimed life imagined for so long
- to those of you whose lives are made tumultuous with physical and mental illnesses and yet you continue to be willing to get back up, re-group and continue on with the work needed. I am privleged and humbled to be be a part of your plan.
- to those of you who are children of Hoarders who live in fear of slipping like they did or who struggle with limits, boundaries and self esteem because they only discovered there were such things as adults when their relationships were being hurt by the lack
- to those of you who face debilitating illnesses, live with chronic pain and still are determined to ask for the help you need to have the best life possible and still laugh and find joy and things to be grateful for
- to those of you who are the last of your families and carry the yoke of "curator," missing loved ones and the comfort and love exchanged, facing current losses and still asking for help to do what is needed to get and stay on track
- to those of you who are witnesses or recipients of violence, who have been made afraid, who are sickened, ashamed and repulsed by your living environments, who live with chronic anxiety and panic attacks and who still reach out for help, and despite being sickened during the counseling & de-cluttering sessions stay in the game and perservere.
COURAGE IS BEING---(YOUR FEELINGS)---AND DOING IT ANYWAY---- WITH THE HELP YOU TRUST--IN THE WAY YOU NEED TO --AND AT YOUR PACE
I would like to acknowledge all of you and thank you for the privledge of laughing with you, witnessing your stories, being there to support you when you cried, challenging you on those life-robbing distorted beliefs you were taught/ developed in your life, celebrated with you and guided and transitioned you to your un-Hoarded life.
REMEMBER :
First dare to dream it...then imagine it.... then plan it and build it...then live it !
and so I come full circle back to H. Thoreau ..."To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives."
THE QUESTION I ASK YOU IS:
WHAT WILL YOU LET DOMINATE YOUR LIFE FROM TODAY FORWARD?
I OFFER YOU THAT:
"NO ONE EVER MOVED FORWARD LOOKING BACKWARD...
YOU SHOULD LEARN FROM THE PAST NOT LIVE IN IT".... Elaine Birchall
