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How many of us are investing time and energy guarding the wrong treasures? By treasures, I'm referring to the unique talents, dreams, and passions inside us.
I'll use a former client as an example. This woman had an incredible gift for design and art. She could literally create something beautiful out of thin air. She had put her career on hold while raising her children, and now with the youngest in high school she felt ready to begin.
The problem was she had collected so much material for painting that she no longer had room in her studio to work. She had opportunities to show her paintings, but found herself totally unable to begin. At the recommendation of a friend she contacted me and we met for a consultation.
As she began to identify the obstacles that were keeping her from her dream she said, "I can't start painting until I organize my studio."
"What's stopping you from organizing your studio?" I asked.
"I'm totally overwhelmed by all the stuff I've collected and stored in there."
"How long have you put off sorting through the material?"
"It's been almost a year. I'm afraid to throw anything away for fear there is something important in the pile I might need later."
I waited a few moments before I finally asked, "How many beautiful paintings are not being brought forth because of your clutter?"
"I don't want to think about it," she whispered.
So the fear of tossing away some old paper she might need someday was keeping her from actualizing a lifelong dream and utilizing a unique and brilliant talent. She was guarding the wrong treasure.
When you pursue your highest gift, and leave the lesser, unimportant things behind - you are guarding the right treasure, and with that knowledge you will go out and multiply the wealth of your dreams!
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Simplify Your Home Part 3: Charitable Donations & Disposal
This is often the part of the process where people become the most bogged down. Items you no longer want or need - so - What do I do with it now?
For some people finding good homes for their items is more important than getting money for them through a sale. Or the prospect of selling items is too time consuming or exhausting - so you prefer to just give things away. There are many worthy charities who are in great need of quality donations.
TIPS FOR DONATION:
You can locate charities on the web and most will post guidelines for what they accept.
There are charitable organizations for donating everything from vehicles to baby clothes, pet adoption centers, low income schools, and service centers. Think outside the "Salvation Army & Goodwill" box when donating items.
Complete listings in King County for everything from dumping guidelines to school donation programs, and where to donate a wide variety of items: http://www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/
To verify charity is registered in your state: www.nasconet.org , www.give.org, www.charitywatch.org or www.guidestar.org
Tips for Donation of Items:
Furniture: Most major charities accept furniture.
- Low Income Housing: www.lihi.org
- Community centers
- Homeless and battered women's shelters
- Low income senior centers
Clothing:
Eyeglasses, cell phones, computers, art materials, fabric, old jewelry, beads can all be donated to schools. Local office supply stores like Office Depot & Staples will often accept donations of this type as well.
When making charitable contributions to qualified organizations, a tax deduction is generally available for taxpayers who itemize tax deductions on their tax return, provided the total tax deduction on the taxpayer's tax return does not exceed ½ of the taxpayer's Adjusted Gross Income. Excess tax deductions for charitable contributions may be carried forward to future tax returns for five tax years.
You can deduct your charitable contributions on your tax return only if you make the charitable contributions to a qualified organization.
Restrictions on Charitable Contributions made after August 17, 2006
Cash contributions
All cash contributions made in tax years beginning after August 17, 2006, to any qualified charity must be supported by a dated bank record or a dated receipt. The tax year for most individual taxpayers begins on January 1.
Clothing and household items
Beginning with contributions made after August 17, 2006, no deduction is allowed for most contributions of clothing and household items unless the donated property is in good used condition or better.
You can only deduct the fair market value of an item, which takes into account the item's condition and age.
- IRS Publication 526 can help determine values or It's Deductible Software www.itsdeductible.com.
- A written appraisal is needed for items of $5,000 or more.
- You may deduct mileage for dropping off donations.
- The donation must be made to a qualified organization to be deductible.
- "Tax exempt" does not mean "tax deductible" organization.
- Churches and the government are automatically qualified.
- You should get a receipt for every donation.
TRASH: RECYCLING/DISPOSAL
Dumpster rates and information for Puget Sound can be found at: www.rabanco.com
Local & National Hauling companies:
Recycling: http://www.metrokc.gov
Resist the urge to dispose of items improperly. THis destroys environment and promotes unnecessary health risks for others. Hire a professional cleaning service or agency to dispose of materials if you are not inclined to do it yourself.
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Drop The Stress Ball!
A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked,
"How heavy is this glass of water?"
Answers ranged from 20g to 500g.
The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it.
If you hold it for a minute, that's not a problem.
If you hold it for an hour, your arm will start to ache. If you hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. The weight of the water is the same, but the longer you hold it, the heavier it becomes."
He continued, "And that's the effect stress has on us."
Sooner or later, as the burden of stress becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on. You have to put down your problems for a while and rest before picking them up again. When you are refreshed, the burden seems lighter.
Before you go home tonight put the burden of work down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Put down anything that may be a burden to you right now, even if it's just for a little while.
Life is short.
Enjoy it!
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"A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour." - Anonymous
Wishing you a life in order,
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Robin is a Professional Organizer and Life Strategies Coach who coaches with individuals and self-employed business owners to help them organize, simplify, and prioritize every area of their lives so they can live with passion and connect to their unique purpose.
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