Don't Sweat The Small Stuff

I was reading in the book "Don't Sweat The Small Stuff…and it's all small stuff" by Richard Carlson, PH.D. I have read the book before but not everything always sticks so I like to go back and reread as a refresher. I set as my goal to read two to three chapters a night. They are so small each can be read in one to three minutes.
The heading on the chapter I was reading is 'Make Peace with Imperfection'. Since I am not a perfectionist this was reasonable to me. Being a perfectionist does not lead one to inner peace. I know a couple of perfectionist and I agree with this statement.

He goes on to say "When we are zeroed in on what's wrong, it implies that we are dissatisfied, discontent". That bought me up short. I feel as a professional organizer it is necessary to take a look at our surroundings, especially when we know there is something bothering us about our home or office, to actually zero in what we see is wrong or out of balance and analyze why it is making us feel as it does. It may very well be what we need is a breath of fresh air and by looking at what is wrong and then rolling up our sleeves so to speak and getting things organized we will be much happier and content.
He uses an example of our minds being zeroed in on what's wrong for instance---a disorganized closet, "that it can pull us away from our goal of being kind and gentle". Oh, I had to take a breath as I know having a disorganized closet can lead to disharmony in life and take us further from our goals. Having a disorganized closet wastes our time, it can cost us money because when we can't find what we need we purchase more, and it can lead to other things like being late to appointments, frazzled, frustrated, ashamed and disgusted or disappointed with ourselves.
I think we can make peace with imperfection. Being organized will pull us towards our goal of being emotionally and physically balanced and peaceful in our lives. I know to be organized is a key to being satisfied and relaxed with our lives. In my mind it boils down to not obsessing about an organized closet (or other place), not to let it take over our life, instead work on the problem, organize and move on.

Marilyn Bohn's Bio
Marilyn is a creative organizer who has been organizing for over 20 years. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and is working towards becoming a Certified Professional Organizer. Professionally she has been organizing homes and offices for over two years. She holds a bachelors degree in Social Work. She has reared five daughters and currently lives in Utah.

Go to her website http://www.marilynbohn.com where you can find free organizing tips and interesting blogs and helpful articles on organizing.