Day 5 Abundance

Tonight I cleaned out my closet.  Not in some deep, symbolic way.  I REALLY cleaned out my spare closet...and I learned a very big lesson.  It's the beginning of the year so what better time than now to sift through the clutter of clothes, shoes, paperwork, hotel sized shampoo, conditioner, body wash,  mini sewing kits, etc.  Yep!  I cleaned out my closet tonight; Sunday night.  I started later in the evening because I figured it wouldn't take too long (the closet is only so big).  As I pulled things out of the closet I separated them into four piles: 

Pile 1: Things to donate to the women's shelter.

Pile 2: Things to throw away.
Pile 3: Things to give to my mother and sister
Pile 4. Things to keep.   

Each pile was about two to three feet high...including Pile number 4.  Half way through the cleaning I realized this project was going to take much longer than what I could accomplish in one night.  Tired, I sat down in the middle of my mess and looked around.  I sat there for a few minutes and then it hit me.  The lesson in cleaning out my closet was not just about clearing clutter or creating order.  Sure, part of it was about that, but as I sat there and looked around my room, I began to realize that my lesson was much much bigger than cleaning up.  My lesson that day was about abundance.Anyone who knows me knows I love to shop.  I am a bargain shopper so I don't usually go too crazy, but if there is a bargain to be had in any city, trust and believe, my shopping buddies (you know who you are) and I will find it.  What I realized today was that most of things I had been buying, I already had.  Yes there were slight color differences, buckles here but buttons there, long and short, fitted and loose, short heels, high heels, denim and leather, short sleeves, three quarter sleeves, long sleeves...  Every variation you can imagine was covered in that closet but sadly, there were tons of similarities. 

I was suddenly overwhelmed by what I saw, because in that moment, those piles reminded me of something I take for granted far too often.  What I learned tonight is not just related to clothes and shoes.  The piles reminded me of the abundance I already have in my life.  I am so blessed and I have so many people and things to be thankful for.  But I continue to ask for more. Everyday I am reminded of the abundance I have in my life (talking to my nieces and nephew on the phone, getting into my working car, driving into the free parking lot at work, walking into my office, taking a call from a friend or family member, hearing I love you several times a day, opening my refrigerator and kitchen cabinets to find it full (albeit untouched, but full indeed), paying bills, flipping through the 400 channels on my TV).  I could go on and on, but you get my point.  Abundance.  Abundance.  I have it, and I have lots of it and when I'm ready for more, God provide it for me. 

Today I thank God for giving me everything I need, when I need it...no sooner and no later.

As you give what you have, what you are not using, you make room to receive something else in its place. - Iyanla Vanzant