A few minutes ago, I finished packing items to donate to Goodwill and I'm feeling so much lighter. I let go of good "stuff" such as: a Coach bag and matching wallet that was donated to me by a friend when I was living on unemployment and food stamps; 3 turtleneck sweaters that I've had for more than 15 years and kept because I might want to wear them someday (not likely since I live in Arizona)  plus they still fit; 3 inexpensive "pretty" watches that were just taking up space in my jewelry box and actually caused a rash on my wrist whenever I wore them; a sweatshirt given to by the sales manager at the Pointe South Mountain after putting on a huge sales training event with an accompanying trade show for a company whose values and ethics were different than mine. As I put each item into the donation bag, I also let go of the history associated with them.

A Facebook entry I posted earlier today was the inspiration for my Spring cleaning. I wrote: "Success tip: Don't be afraid to let go of what no longer serves you. The old must be released so that the new can enter. When something is empty, there's room for the new to fill the void. If you do this enough times, it's no longer scary; it becomes an exciting adventure."

I decided it was time for me to follow my own advice. I realized I was holding on to things because of  the dreaded "what ifs" — what if I don't have the money to get something better, what if I need this in the future and don't have it, what if I feel poor because my closet is empty, what if a friend asks me why I'm not using something they gave me, etc.

I also realized I was holding on to the me that I was when I originally got those things — the me that's long gone and replaced by a "better" version. The items held my old energy and belief patterns — ones that no longer serve me and keep me from manifesting my heart's desires. They were filled with feelings of fear, lack, anger, jealousy, resentment and a variety of other less than positive feelings. Every time I looked into my closet and saw one of the items that are on their way to a new home, old memories and feelings were triggered. And those memories and feelings became as real as they were the first time I experienced them. Who needs that?
 
Because I believe in the Law of Attraction, I had an "ah ha moment" — keeping things that are not in harmony with my current vibration only keeps me stuck in the past, attracting "more of the same." If I want to continue to grow and make positive changes in my life, I have to let go of  anything that does not bring me joy, a feeling of prosperity, contentment or satisfaction. I have to let go of the old to make room for the new. I have to release my past and to make room for a brighter future. And, I have to do it with intention. 

So, I started the process by cleaning my closet and it felt great! I realized my abundance  (I have so much more than I actually require or use) and delighted in the fact that the things I no longer need now will be blessings in other people's lives. In fact, I intentionally put a penny in the purse and 2 wallets so the new owners will have good luck. As I said goodbye to my clothing and jewelry, I set the intention that they would make somebody else feel more abundant. I'm so grateful that I can be of service to others in this very small way.

I feel so much lighter, freer, more empowered by letting go of "stuff" that does not add value to my life. It's funny, but the fewer things I have, the more prosperous I feel. I know, in my heart, that I'll always have more than enough in my life in any given moment.  By letting go of  feelings associated with things, I've made room for new feelings and experiences to manifest in my life. Because I'm happier than I was before, those things will be even better than what I had in the past. Like attracts like.

Now it's time to let go of conscious and unconscious beliefs that have kept me stuck in the past. That will take a bit longer than gathering things for Goodwill but the results will be even more dramatic and life altering. I'm looking forward to the adventure.