Stuck in the Maze??

At some point in our lives, we all become stuck. For all kinds of reasons. Some of us stay stuck for a short time, a few minutes, a few days, weeks or months, some of us for years. Some are stuck with emotional stuff, some with physical, but dealing with it has to happen inside first. In my organizing business, I don't just reorganize clients' stuff--- I reorganize their brains!! This is so important to lasting change.

One of my favorite books about dealing with Change is "Who Moved My Cheese", by Spencer Johnson, MD. As the inside cover states "Written for all ages, the story takes less than an hour to read, but its unique insights can last for a lifetime."

The book is about 4 characters, two humans; Hem & Haw, and two mice; Sniff & Scurry, who all live in the maze. Each day they go to Cheese Station C where they find "Cheese". Cheese is a metaphor for what they want in life; happiness, power, money, success, family. The humans become complacent in their Cheese and begin to take it for granted while the mice continually look around them and anticipate change. When the Cheese in Cheese Station C starts to dwindle, they are not surprised and they begin to prepare to change. The humans, ignore the signs and one day when no more Cheese is left, the mice quickly run back into the maze to search for more cheese, but the humans, being caught up in their analytical ways, with their complex brains, resist the idea that change is needed and continue to search for the missing Cheese in Cheese Station C. They even dig out the wall and try to find it. Haw finally begins to see the "Handwriting on the Wall" and the futility of their behavior and he tries to convince Hem to go out into the maze and search for new Cheese.

Hem is absolutely stuck. He is terrified to make any changes. He won't even look out into the maze for alternatives, despite Haw's pleading. Haw is indecisive and asks himself "What would you do if you weren't afraid?" Finally he decides that change is essential to his survival. He simply cannot get different results unless he makes a change and takes a risk. Which he does.

Meanwhile, Sniff & Scurry, who were not hampered by the humans' complicated analytical brains, have long ago found new Cheese in the maze at Cheese Station N. When Hem decides to take a risk, he learns so much about himself AND he learns to laugh at himself and some of his self-limiting ways. He even goes back to encourage Hem, but Hem is unwilling to change and so Haw reluctantly goes on without him.

Finally, Haw arrives at Cheese Station N, where Sniff & Scurry have found an ample supply of New Cheese. Despite the seemingly endless supply and variety, all three continue to keep noticing things around them and preparing for change so that when they need to, they can deal with it. What happens to Hem? Well, he is still stuck.... or is he? Read the book to find out; hard copy or kindle. Also, here are links to a great (10 minute) movie on YouTube based on the story and a brief Power Point for additional ways to understand and experience this life changing parable. While my story is a brief summary, these two links will give you all the depth and insight that is woven into "Who Moved My Cheese?"

Has your Cheese moved?

What would you do if you weren't afraid?

For help, simply call Linda, 716-631-5619.

The Possibility of an Open Doorway, Pt 2

Last October, I wrote The Possibility of an Open Doorway. It was about my real life dream that we could create a doorway through the wall, linking our front hall to the family room. This has now become a reality and I am excited to share it with you! As I had hoped, it has truly increased the functionality of the house and connected everything together. It was a bit difficult at first, as our motor memory continued to route our bodies through the old traffic patterns, but after a few weeks it seemed as if it had always been there!

Another unexpected consequence was how disappointing the view of the family room was from the hallway. Now that the doorway was open, it became evident that change in that room was in order too. This spurred me on to rearrange, purge, consolidate and reorganize the family room so that it was both more attractive, more roomy AND more functional for our current family needs. But that is for a future post.

For now, let me praise my wonderful husband, Eric, who moved two water pipes, a baseboard and electrical lines to make this happen. I am so grateful and appreciative of all your hard work!! We still aren't quite finished. The walls need to be painted and the wooden step still needs to be installed, but it will get done eventually.

The beginnings of an idea

Opening up the wall, figuring out what's inside. The supervisors on hand for the demolition.

Breaking through the other side

Change can be hard. Temporary supports must be put into place while the old supports are removed and replaced.

The new view may not be as great as you want right away. Change begets change.

Eventually, it works out, better than ever!

And even when not perfectly complete, seems like it has always been that way.

I try to listen to that little voice in my head that suggests possibilities to me. Often, they result in wonderful surprises. Read Make Room for Joy, another time in which I listened to my inner voice and share the beautiful outcome.

Your turn. Tell me about a time you let

Possibility change your life!

For help with any organizing project,

simply call Linda, 716-631-5619.

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