Flo's Blog

Wiggle Room

Lately I have gained some weight. When I ask people, “Do I look heavier?” they say, “No, You look wonderful.” Yet, I know my clothes are tighter and I have lost what I most loved about having trimmed down to begin with--I’ve lost the wiggle room. I really like the wiggle room I had. Probably no one else would ever be affected by it but me. Still, I found constant comfort in the fact that my clothes were slightly too big. Not enough to be baggy or hanging. Just enough to feel not at all snug.

The wiggle room is what I miss most of all right now as I feel the waistband hugging my middle a little more closely; I miss that small space of comfort.

As I think about it, I like to have wiggle room everywhere. I have always kept some money in reserve that I don’t add to my checking account balance. I like to have room in my closets and room in my kitchen counter and pantry shelves. I just like to live a life with wiggle room. When too many things creep into my house, my car, or my finances, I become uncomfortable and feel the urge to “clean house”--to simplify and get my wiggle room back.

For some people, space is something to fill--to pack every inch completely. To me, having that little extra space is life giving. After all, you never know when you might want the room to just wiggle.  

Gratitude

Gratitude is a wonderful thing—
It fills your heart and makes it sing.

It takes away the angst and fear
And lets you know that God is here.

It changes darkness into light
And takes the emptiness from the night.

It adds back balance to the scale
And takes away the "I might fail."

It quiets the waves of emotional pain
And restores the strength to go on again.

Thoughts on Living I Gleaned from Playing Solitaire

1. The more you play, the more you win.
2. As you press on in the game you find out why things don't work out.
3. Lots of games don't work out.
4. Play with gusto.
5. When it doesn't work out, quickly move on.
6. Learn to enjoy every step and do it well.
7. Pay attention.
8. Stop when you see there is no way to win.
9. Sometimes you lose a lot before you win again.
10. Rest when you need to.

When you stop playing the game is over.

Will's Journey

I thought I'd try my hand at blogging even though I don't understand completely what it is and it really makes no sense to me. But I was told I could put anything on my blog, even if it wasn't directly about organizing. In this case, it's about life--choices. It's a short piece I wrote many years ago that came to mind again the other day.

As I began my journey I looked for an entrance to the road. At the first entrance I found a little old man sitting in a booth. He said that I was welcome to come in and fill out some forms and answers some questions. He said it would take a little while and that there might be a wait. Outside this booth were two groups of people. One was saying, "This is the best way. Be patient." The other group was so understanding they knew I was in a hurry and that I greatly disliked forms and questions. They pointed out another way to go. Another entrance. So I followed their direction and found to my delight a brightly colored entrance where there were balloons, music, sodas and best of all--no booth--no forms--no questions. You could just walk right in. Outside this entrance was an old lady who tried to get my attention and point me back to the other entrance. What could this old lady know, I thought. She couldn't possibly understand. She is old and judgmental and out of touch. So I ignored her direction and joyfully entered this faster, open way.

At first it was lots of fun. Everyone was having a good time. As time went on the road got rocky and I had to leave some of my belongings behind. When I asked people for directions no one seemed to know where they were going and some even forgot where they came from. I began to get weary of wondering. I noticed that most people on this road were content having no direction. They were happily just going from one place to the other no questions asked.

Then came a time when I noticed a small exit sign. I followed the arrow and found a little man at a booth with forms to fill out and questions to answer. He said it would take a little while and I would have to wait. I was still in a hurry and I noticed I could just continue on as I had been with no delay. So on I went. On and on and on. Then after a very long while came another small exit sign which led to another old man and a booth. I found out at this point that these booths were at every exit. And at the final exit, the wait lasted forever.

Meanwhile, those traveling the first road went on in another way--good times, fun and getting their own way had not attracted them. This route did have signs, and people went on toward a grand exit place where there was no booth--no wait. Just a sign which read--WELL DONE.