Marti Mendenhall.com Sweet January, By Marti Mendenhall Published January 2007 Ah . . sweet January! Clean. White. Calm. The big break after the mad rush of Thanksgiving through Christmas. For my husband and me, January is a time to start over. I know it sounds cliché, but there is a certain zen to the "cleaning-out" and the "putting away." Putting away Christmas in our household involves massive reorganization, and about fifteen plastic storage containers in various shades of red and green. When the living room is finally clean, I finally feel the sudden hush of winter and peace reigns in the emptiness. Ah . . . Of course I haven't stopped yet. I went right on cleaning out everything. We took two bags to a donation station, and I'm in the process of rearranging our living room, all according to the two new Feng Shui books I received for Christmas. (I'm telling you, that stuff really does work!) While in the zen-zone of clearing the outside, I've been thinking a lot about clearing out my inside too. I've been thinking about the things that hold me back, about baggage that I carry around with me. I have to ask - Why do I let things effect me that happened twenty years ago? Or ten? Or five? Those things are all in the past, yet I'm here in the future, giving the experiences of yesteryear power over my daily life. Sounds sort of silly, doesn't it? Don't get me wrong. Every single moment of my life up until now has shaped me into who I am right at this moment. And frankly, I like who I am! So, I've decided it's time to take back my life. To reject the fears of the past and lunge head-long into my future. I've decided to acknowledge my fears, ignore them, and get on with it! (Is that showing my tender age of forty, or what?) I can't tell you what events in my past gave me the fears I have today, but I don't think I'm alone. Fear of rejection, in one form or another, holds most people back from doing the things they love. For example, I haven't submitted my newly completed novel to many publishers, because I fear rejection. A friend of mine is completely over-critical of her painting, insisting she can't sell them yet . . because of fear of rejection. And the list goes on . . . So I want to encourage each one of you, in this peace of winter, to do a little spiritual house cleaning of your own. It is refreshing, and it matches the energy of the new year and new beginnings. Take a look at what thoughts serve you well, and let go of those that don't. Take a look at your most fantastic dreams, then set a course and don't let anything hold you back. If you want to travel, DO IT! If you want to buy a house in the Bahamas, or write your memoirs, GET IT DONE! If you want to work less and play more, GO FOR IT! Remember, you handle the rudder in this sea of life. You are in charge of what you think, how you manage your time and the choices you make that direct your life. So I leave you this quote. I don't know who it is by, so we'll call it Anonymous. Blessing upon you this new year, and may all your dreams come true. The Jump is so frightening between where I am and where I want to be . . . Because of all I may become, I will close my eyes and Leap!

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