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I used to believe that I had to figure out a way to remove the messiness in my life to get to a point where I could finally say, “Okay…now I’m ready to live my life because I’m enlightened. I am no longer messy.”

But what I failed to realize was that I will always be messy and that the messiness in my life is what brings me to enlightenment. I kept trying to put the cart before the horse by attempting to achieve enlightenment without realizing the value in the messiness first.

Back in the ‘80’s I was a huge self-help book reader; devouring anything I could get my hands on that would help me improve. And it’s not that I no longer believe in self-help books because I do, however, the best self-help books I have ever read are the ones that guide you to embrace yourself (and your mess) first, because that’s how we evolve. I can’t grow if I constantly believe that I'm too messy and that I have to wait until I'm enlightened by achieving some state of guruship in order to live my life to the fullest.

We all have some messiness in our lives one way or another (and yes, including the gurus), but that doesn’t mean we are limited in how we live our lives now.

And another thing I realized is that embracing my messiness does not require wallowing in it or punishing myself with negative thoughts about it because that only keeps me at a standstill. Embracing my messiness means accepting it and then using it to move forward by trusting the value in it, and loving myself along the way.

To be honest with you, the people I most admire are the ones who live robustly and confidently in spite of their messiness. Those are the people who inspire me the most and who I wish to emulate.

So, if there is one thing I can share with you about what I have learned from my own life, it's this: Messiness is actually a positive thing that guides us through the journey of enlightenment. And that we don't have to be un-messy or perfectly put together to live our lives.

Because, really, we are perfect.

Messiness and all.

So rock on everyone!


Happy Monday, y'all!

54 comments:

  1. I do not believe you are messy.
    Love,
    Bijoux

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  2. By "messy," do you mean confused? Or not having ALL the answers? If so, then we all must live with messiness! Nobody, not even the gurus, has all the answers (some probably don't even have the right questions, ha!)

    But if you mean "messy," as in sloppy or disorganized, why, of course you can live that way -- plenty of people do. It's only a problem if you WANT to be organized. As a Virgo, I seek organization (and it often eludes me!!)

    Your statement -- "Embracing my messiness means accepting it and then using it to move
    forward by trusting the value in it, and loving myself along the way." -- is a perfect summary here, dear Ron. Always LOVE yourself!!

    Happy third week in May!

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  3. Ron, as Rob said, brilliant post! And I know precisely what you meant by messiness. We all have it in our lives in one way or another, whether it be patterns we repeat through relationships or unhealthy beliefs we have about ourselves. And it is through those things that we are enlightened.

    "Messiness is actually a positive thing that guides us through the journey of enlightenment. And that we don't have to be un-messy or perfectly put together to live our lives."



    I'm going copy and past that to a document and read daily as a reminder.


    Thank you for expressing this post today Ron. Have a wonderful week x

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  4. Thank you, Bijoux :) But there has been and will always be areas in my life of uncertainty, confusion and mess. However, that's okay because those are the things that bring me clarity and enlightenment.


    Much thanks for stopping by, my friend. Have a fantabulous week!

    X

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  5. Hey there Rob!

    Thank you and your so welcome :)

    This is post topic was actually a result of a post I read on someone else's blog a few weeks ago, which I thought was an excellent topic because it was something I struggled with many, many years ago.

    "For the longest time I thought that I had to constantly berate myself in order to bring about change. But things didn't change--I just became unhappier than i was before."

    I freaking love how you said that because it's so spot on and that's my point. We can't grow by berating ourselves because it only makes us unhappier. It's only through accepting ourselves (messiness and all), do we grow and become enlightened.

    "I've always had this obsession with perfect, that I couldn't begin something unless conditions were absolutely right. But that's delusional thinking and it just keeps you from going forward."



    Thank you! You summed up this post "perfectly" in sharing that!!!!!


    Much thanks for stopping by, buddy. Have a grrrrrrreat week and enjoy the mess!


    X

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  6. Hey there Shae!


    I LOVED your comment!!!!

    "So even though its not what you meant I am embracing my messiness and being happy that I live a life hectic enough to cause the mess."



    You go, girl!!!!!!!!!! And that's my point, we can live and be happy regardless of the mess!


    Have a FAB week and thanks so much for stopping by!


    X

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  7. Hey there Debbie!

    "By "messy," do you mean confused? Or not having ALL the answers?"

    Actually, I mean BOTH of those things - confusion AND not having all the answers.

    " If so, then we all must live with messiness! Nobody, not even the gurus, has all the answers (some probably don't even have the right questions, ha!)"

    Thank you, and I couldn't have said it any better - we all must live with messiness because the messiness is what enlightens us.

    " Always LOVE yourself!!"



    Amen!


    Much thanks for stopping by, my friend. Have a super week!


    X


    P.S. yes, can you believe it's already the THIRD week in May!?!

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  8. Hola Denise!

    "We all have it in our lives in one way or another, whether it be patterns we repeat through relationships or unhealthy beliefs we have about ourselves. And it is through those things that we are enlightened."



    Yup...you totally understood what I meant by messiness. And that it's 'through' the messiness we evolve.


    As I shared, there was a time in my life when I thought I had to become enlightened first. But it's the other way around.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Have wonderful week too!


    X

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  9. Good afternoon, Ron. I had to stop and think what messiness was and came to the conclusion that we all have messy lives in one form or another. Messiness is important, though, for how else can we learn about ourselves and move on in an open-minded or constructive way? Quite honestly I would rather have something to build on than be perfect and have nothing else to put right. There would be no challenge for us if that was the case.


    Interesting post, and one that will stay in my mind for a long time.


    May your week be angst-free! x

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  10. Ron, I enjoy reading all your posts but this one really touched something inside me because it's a topic I can identify with well. I too use to think that I had to have an understanding of why certain things in my life were messy, such as relationships, before I could be in a relationship. But it wasn't until I allowed myself to be in a relationship did I learn about myself and had a better understanding of myself, thus became enlightened.

    "And another thing I realized is that embracing my messiness does not require wallowing in it or punishing myself with negative thoughts about it because that only keeps me at a standstill."



    Accurately said.


    Thank you for this post and putting into words what I feel. Rock on, dude! And I loved the quote by Chodron.

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  11. " I had to stop and think what messiness was and came to the conclusion that we all have messy lives in one form or another. Messiness is important, though, for how else can we learn about ourselves and move on in an open-minded or constructive way?"

    Yes! You TOTALLY got it, Valerie, because that's exactly what I meant. And you are so right in saying that messiness is important!

    "Quite honestly I would rather have something to build on than be perfect and have nothing else to put right. There would be no challenge for us if that was the case."

    OMG...I LOVE what you said there and I agree 150%! And besides, we ARE perfect...messiness and all.

    Much thanks for stopping by and adding your insight, dear lady. Have a lovely week!

    X to you and Joe!

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  12. Hiya Matt!

    "I too use to think that I had to have an understanding of why certain things in my life were messy, such as relationships, before I could be in a relationship. But it wasn't until I allowed myself to be in a relationship did I learn about myself and had a better understanding of myself, thus became enlightened."

    Exactly and beautifully stated! :) It's through the messiness that we understand and become enlightened.

    "And I loved the quote by Chodron."



    Me too. I found it online yesterday afternoon and thought it went well with this topic. I've read a few of Chodron books several years ago.


    Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing on this post, buddy. Have a most excellent week!

    X

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  13. Messy or neat, organized or fly by the seat of the pants...we each have our gifts and crosses to bear on the journey; learning how we function and embracing these things about ourselves make the journey interesting.
    I've gone from an anal organizer to "not necessarily messy but a chaotic organizer", and I must say I wish I'd been more like this when my children were smaller. I wish I'd embraced the important things in life then, but I guess it's taken many years of living to reach this point. I must say life is so much less stressful when the emphasis on organization is a backseat to living.

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  14. "Messy or neat, organized or fly by the seat of the pants...we each have our gifts and crosses to bear on the journey; learning how we function and embracing these things about ourselves make the journey interesting."

    Suzi...I freaking LOVE that! And you are absolutely correct!

    " I wish I'd embraced the important things in life then, but I guess it's taken many years of living to reach this point."

    Exactly. Which is something we learn through the journey to enlightenment.

    Much thanks for stopping by and sharing your insight, my friend!

    Have a FAB week!

    X

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  15. I'm quite a neat person and so is MWM but if you're happy being messy Ron go with it! I've not been blogging for a while, just really busy and also just come back from holiday in Italy so I've been catching up with your posts (8).

    Love the pink pictures, I do love a man in a pink shirt, MWM has a couple and I make him wear them as much as possible! Ah Merlot wine, we love it, in fact I'll give a little preview of something that happening in Italy before I blog about it. We were in St. Mark's Square, Venice, when we found a little Bodega (or whatever they call them in Italy) offering wine tasting so of course we went in. We sampled a beautiful Merlot (amongst others) straight out of the cask and purchased 1.5 litres (decanted into a plastic bottle) for 3 Euros! Can you believe that? We drank it that evening on our balcony instead of paying 18 euros for a bottle of Chianti, It was delicious!

    I loved your post about both your mothers m'deario, both of them were very beautiful ladies and obviously caring, good people as they have passed all those qualities on to you.

    I'll try to keep up with blogging now. xx

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  16. messiness as in not organized? i hate messy, but i'm living it right now. it happens, but i don't like it. i am in no way perfectly put together either, i look a mess right now. ;)


    i can't say i'm inspired by messy people either but well wait, the do inspire me to want to clean up something.


    i don't know,ron. we all have some messiness about as much as we each can tolerate.

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  17. Hey there Pearl!

    No worries, m'dear, I know that you've been traveling a lot and I think it's AWESOME! I love reading about your trips!

    "We sampled a beautiful Merlot (amongst others) straight out of the cask and purchased 1.5 litres (decanted into a plastic bottle) for 3 Euros! Can you believe that? We drank it that evening on our balcony instead of paying 18 euros for a bottle of Chianti, It was delicious!"

    OMG...that's incredible! And I've always heard from so many people who have visited Italy that the wine there is utterly divine!

    Much thanks for stopping by and catching up with my posts, you're a sweetheart. Have a lovely week!

    X

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  18. Hey there Val!

    I actually was referring more to messiness as in life issues and challenges that we go through, but hey, that could also mean messiness in not organized as well :)

    "i can't say i'm inspired by messy people either but well wait, the do inspire me to want to clean up something."

    HAHAHAHAHA!

    " we all have some messiness about as much as we each can tolerate."



    Exactly...we all have some messiness, I agree!


    Much thanks for stopping by, girl. Have a FAAAAABULOUS week! Isn't the weather gorgeous?

    X

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  19. "It's going to get messy" is a comment that has preceded many a memorable (or possibly mis-remembered) evening, but I'm guessing that isn't what you mean.

    That painting reminds me of Jackson Pollock. Now there's a man who knows how to be messy.

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  20. Wonderful post. Reminds me of something I read. "If we wait until we are ready, we will be waiting for the rest of our lives.
    Our lives are today, embrace every day
    Bill

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  21. Hey there Bill!

    I LOVED this....

    "If we wait until we are ready, we will be waiting for the rest of our lives."

    And yes, that is a perfect saying for what I'm referring to in this post topic, so thank you for sharing it!

    "Our lives are today, embrace every day"

    You said it, buddy!

    Much thanks for stopping by. Have a SUPER week!
    X

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  22. ""It's going to get messy" is a comment that has preceded many a memorable (or possibly mis-remembered) evening, but I'm guessing that isn't what you mean."

    HAHAHAHA! Dale, you crack me up!!!

    "That painting reminds me of Jackson Pollock. Now there's a man who knows how to be messy."



    Okay, I am flipping out that you mentioned Jackson Pollock because I so thought of him after I made that painting photograph, I kid you not. Yes, doesn't it look like a Pollock painting? However, that's not what I intended when I made the photo, it just turned out that way. But now that you mentioned it, it's the perfect photo for this topic because yes, he was messy...both in his personal life and in his art. But oh...was he ever talented.


    Much thanks for stopping by, buddy. Have a fantabulous week!


    X

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  23. "This reminds me of something my grandmother said to me, if you wait until you're wise enough to do something you'll be waiting forever because the wisdom comes from the doing it."



    Robert, I love that! And she is so right...we DO achieve enlightenment/wisdom though just doing it and learning.


    You have shared other insightful things that your grandmother has said to you in some of your previous comments and she sound's like such a wise and wonderful lady.


    I found that quote yesterday afternoon while I was online and thought it went well with this topic.I found it completely by accident - HA!


    Much thanks for stopping by, buddy. Have fabuloso week!

    X

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  24. "Messiness is actually a positive thing that guides us through the journey of enlightenment."


    Sounds like something my ex-wife would say when I asked her about picking up the socks that had been lying on the bedroom floor for three days.


    Of course, I understand that you are referring to a different type of messiness other than physical. That, I get. In fact, I had a conversation with Tara over the weekend about imperfections. In that regard, I was defending messiness to an extent.

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  25. Oh, if I could only have back all the money I spent on self help books....I had a whole library of them. I kig you not. All neatly organized, of course. If I couldn't be in control of the crap (AKA"messiness"), I could damn well be in control of the "stuff" around me. A place for everything and everything in its place dontchaknow. *snickering* Tell that to the skirts I tossed around this morning cuz I didn't wanna wear what I picked out last night! Skirts....shirts...a couple sweaters....the bedroom door is closed and they're waiting for me to reunite them with hangers. What the hell...let it look how it is!! (That's been the assignment fro WPIML, but somehow I don't think that's what he meant! Hahahaha!!)


    Obviously, I have the assignment for a reason. I don't mind being messy with certain folks. I'm choosey about that and it's rare that I let the general public know that I'm messy--it's why I had the freaking library of self help books. I can't say that I "embrace" my messiness. I embrace the lessons the messiness gifted me with, they all brought me to where I am today. But I don't like being messy. That's why I live in acceptance. I can't change the circumstances, so I have to accept them and trust that it'll all be okay. There's a lesson in there. I just have to weather the storm with a bit of dignity and grace. ( Back to the acceptance deal...)
    And all that is why there are no self help books in this house any more. Unless you count the fairy books....which get tossed into the hallway on a regular basis. LOL. Darn fairies are ways taking my inventory and challenging the by-jeepers outta how I think and act!!
    (((((( Ron ))))) I like when you make me tell the truth.

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  26. "Sounds like something my ex-wife would say when I asked her about picking up the socks that had been lying on the bedroom floor for three days."

    Bwhahahahahha! Mark, that was hilarious!!!!!

    "That, I get. In fact, I had a conversation with Tara over the weekend about imperfections. In that regard, I was defending messiness to an extent."

    Yup..we are perfectly imperfect. Messiness and all!

    Much thanks for stopping by, buddy. Hope your Monday was FABU. Have a super week!

    X to you and Tara!

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  27. Hellooooooooo Mel!

    "Oh, if I could only have back all the money I spent on self help books....I had a whole library of them."

    OMG...me too, me too! And it's not that I don't believe in them, however, there comes a point when you just have to dive in and discover enlightenment for yourself. And in your own way.

    "I can't say that I "embrace" my messiness. I embrace the lessons the messiness gifted me with, they all brought me to where I am today. But I don't like being messy. That's why I live in acceptance. I can't change the circumstances, so I have to accept them and trust that it'll all be okay."

    Exactly. So actually you are embracing your messiness; trusting that the lessons will be revealed to you. Thus, you are enlightened :)

    "I just have to weather the storm with a bit of dignity and grace. ( Back to the acceptance deal...)"

    Ain't that the truth...acceptance.

    "And all that is why there are no self help books in this house any more. Unless you count the fairy books..."



    No, I don't think of your fairy books as self-hope books, I see them more as guidance books that allow you to think and feeling for yourself.


    MUCH thanks for stopping by and sharing your insight on this post topic, dear lady!


    ((((((((((((( You ))))))))))))


    Have a spectacular week!

    X

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  28. I don't have a huge problem with messiness in terms of stuff (most of the time, anyway), but my life in general is often messy. I used to think if I could just get to a point where I was in a perfect relationship, perfect work schedule, perfect whatever situation, then I'd be content. Like that's ever going to happen! I am gradually getting better about just being okay with my life in all its imperfection.

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  29. " but my life in general is often messy."

    Thank you for your honesty.

    And I think many of us can say the same thing. I think we all have messiness in areas of our lives. I know I have.

    "I used to think if I could just get to a point where I was in a perfect relationship, perfect work schedule, perfect whatever situation, then I'd be content. Like that's ever going to happen! I am gradually getting better about just being okay with my life in all its imperfection."

    A-men, because I know exactly what you mean. And kudos to you for okay with okay with it.

    Much thanks for stopping by, girl. Have a super week!

    X

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  30. petra michelleMonday, May 19, 2014

    Ron, this post is wonderful. If you've ever heard of or are interested in the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-sabi in which it states that life is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete". And the more imperfections, the more beautiful.
    A cartoon hangs over my computer...two monks are sitting side-by-side meditating for who knows how long until one says to the other..."Do you ever think about chucking all this and retreat to a life of mindless consumerism?" LOL Even the most enlightened needs messy. :))

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  31. Hellooooooooo there Petra!

    " the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-sabi in which it states that life is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete". And the more imperfections, the more beautiful."

    Wow...I cannot believe you mentioned that because I don't know if you knew this, but I actually lived in Japan for about 2 1/2 months and LOVED their culture and philosophy, so yes, am a bit familiar with Wabi-sabli and think it's AWESOME.

    "."Do you ever think about chucking all this and retreat to a life of mindless consumerism?" LOL"

    HAHAHAHAHAHA! OMG...that's hilarious! And you're absolute right, even the most enlightened needs messy.

    Much thanks for stopping by, my friend. Always a joy to see your comments. Have a glorious week!

    X

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  32. What a great post! You have made such an awesome realization! It all starts with us and our acceptance of us.
    I know it's no surprise but I, too, read a TON of self help books in the 80's! Books, hypnotherapy, meditation tapes. I kept trying to "fix" myself. I'm probably more comfortable in my skin than I've ever been but I do have moments where I beat myself up but happily, they are fewer and further between.

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  33. Yes, Chrissy, you hit the nail on the head, saying...

    "It all starts with us and our acceptance of us."

    Which took me awhile to understand. It starts with acceptance first.

    "I kept trying to "fix" myself."

    Me as well. But there is really nothing to fix because we're not broken, we're just growing and transforming.

    "I'm probably more comfortable in my skin than I've ever been but I do have moments where I beat myself up but happily, they are fewer and further between."

    I LOVE how you said that! Me too. I think what's important though, is that we've become 'aware' of when we do that.

    Much thanks for stopping by and sharing you insight on this post topic, girl! Have a super week!

    X to you and the gang!

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  34. Ron, I stopped this morning to reread this post and to also read everyone's comments. Thanks again for sharing this post, dude. I had my girlfriend read it to.

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  35. Hello again, Matt!


    Aren't everyone's comments great? That's my favorite part about posting, reading everyone's thoughts and feelings which add so much to a topic.


    Have a terrific Tuesday!

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  36. Yes, what a great post, I agree.


    I'm STILL a self-help book junkie Ron. ;-) Since I published: Laughing AT the Grim Reaper! I find myself once again browsing the self-help books that show up at Amazon on the same pages as mine do. I really enjoy these kinds of books but at some point, we do have to accept that our own little quirks and habits are part of what make us interesting and unique.


    I am actually a neat freak in a big way, although I've slacked off quite a bit in the past few years, while we are living in an appt. I just can't get into doing as much here, when it's just temporary digs. But when I had houses over the years, they were usually very, very tidy. People who visited were always amazed that I had 4 cats back then and a spotless house. Realtors LOVED me!!! They always assume that a 'cat lady' has in all probability a stinky, messy house. That wasn't the case when it came to me and my "herd". LOL.


    I digress...


    One more thing, I am kind of surprised by this in a way too Ron. I expected you to be a neat fanatic too, based on other things you've shared over the months I've been reading here. We always seem to have a lot of things in common, not this time. ;-)


    You're great anyhoo...messy or neat, it definitely is "small potatoes"in the big picture of life.


    Happy Week, G

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  37. Sweet! And such good advice! I have trouble with this one. My perfectionism is an ugly monster and the worst when it comes to myself. Did you know I almost didn't post the recent photos of myself on my blog? I looked at them and went - OH UGH! - I look horrid. I can't post that. And then, I thought...this is YOU now. This is what you look like and it is a special moment in life. So, I accepted it (flaws and all) and you know...that wasn't so bad. :-) Thanks for this great advice. It encourages me to keep believing in myself and my mess.

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  38. that's what happens when you're in a rush, sorry Ron, I missed some of what I should have read. when it comes to internal messiness in particular, I'm no neat freak there either!!!


    Happy week friend, G

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  39. Hello again Geraldine!

    No apologies, my friend, I think several of my readers thought the same as you. And actually, this post could be taken other way (internally and/or externally), but my own thoughts were more internally.

    Have a great evening!
    X

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  40. Hi Ron! I haven't forgotten you, my friend! Wonderful post, as usual.
    Like Geraldine, I thought for sure you would be neat as a pin ;) It's just the impression I get from you and your posts. Nonetheless, I love you, messiness and all!
    I totally agree we have to embrace ourselves in the here and now. If we wait until we improve, fix, lose weight, get successful or even rich, we are wasting precious time. Embrace ourselves right now and be happy. We are who we are. And IF we change, so be it. Then it's icing on the cake.
    I'm a neat freak, by the way, but only because I find it easier. I don't like clutter or mess. But that's just me and the way I've always been. However, I've lightened up on myself a lot over the years through self-help books! I've learned that I don't have to have everything done to perfection to relax or take a nap or just loaf. I can do things for ME first. I can appreciate ME. I allow myself to make a choice whereas in the past I didn't give myself any choice.
    Again, great post!!
    I miss you.
    I've been super busy but really well. I'm loving my new job even though it doesn't give me much time to read and write. I hope by July I'll have some more free time. (I gave myself a goal). I'm so anal ;)
    Have a fantabulous week!!
    (((HUGS))

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  41. Pam is so great to see you!!! I stopped by your blog about two days and saw that is was closed, so I thought you had stopped blogging. But I'm glad to hear that you plan on coming back in July!!! I'm also glad to hear that your busy and loving your new job!

    I LOVE what you said here...

    " If we wait until we improve, fix, lose weight, get successful or even rich, we are wasting precious time. Embrace ourselves right now and be happy. We are who we are. And IF we change, so be it. Then it's icing on the cake."

    I totally agree!

    Actually, I'm a neat freak as well and don't like clutter or mess. I was referring more in this post about "internal messiness" and we often we use it to put ourselves down, instead of accepting it and then using it to more forward by trusting the value in it because that's how I think we become more enlightened about ourselves.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope you're enjoying this spring!

    Have a fantabulous week!

    (((((( You )))))

    X

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  42. You are soooo correct on this one. Life if messy….even when it appears that it's not! I try and remember that when I'm tempted to pass judgement on someone. I try and put myself into their messy shoes and hopefully find the compassion needed to understand their situation. And I agree that it's only through the messiness of life that we really discover our strengths. Great post!

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  43. " Life if messy….even when it appears that it's not! I try and remember that when I'm tempted to pass judgement on someone. I try and put myself into their messy shoes and hopefully find the compassion needed to understand their situation."

    Lisa, that's awesome! And you're right, life is messy...even when it that it's not.

    " it's only through the messiness of life that we really discover our strengths."

    Right on!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a super Wednesday!

    X

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  44. That's what I enjoy about your blog, Ron, the community you have here and that you always respond to everyone's comments. I'm glad to be here.

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  45. Aw...thank you, Matt :) And I'm glad you're here too!!!

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  46. I so agree with you Ron! When I was growing up, my mother kept an immaculate house - you could literally comb your hair using the shine on her kitchen floor! But we were never allowed to have friends over to play "because they might mess up the house." And that's no way to live. I have never been able to meet my mother's exacting standards for housework, but I learned when my daughter was born - a little dust will still be there tomorrow, but the smile I get today from my beautiful daughter might not be.

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  47. " I have never been able to meet my mother's exacting standards for housework, but I learned when my daughter was born - a little dust will still be there tomorrow, but the smile I get today from my beautiful daughter might not be."

    Brava, Benze! You have your priorities in order and I admire that, my friend!!!!

    Much thanks for stopping by. Hope you're having a SUPER week!

    X

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  48. You are AWESOME... messy or not messy! Funny because I pictured your home as so neat you could put a glove on furniture and it would stay pure white! If you saw my room, you would think I was a GODDESS and very much like you... cause I might have cleaned the house up, but my room? Ummm....

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  49. Aw...thank you, Katherine :) And YOU awesome!

    " If you saw my room, you would think I was a GODDESS and very much like you... cause I might have cleaned the house up, but my room? Ummm...."

    OMG...that cracked me up!!!

    I was more so referring to an 'internal messiness' than external messiness with this post. But many of my readers took it to mean the latter.

    And actually, I am very neat and tidy when it comes to my home and appearance. However, internally I can get very messy at times.

    MUCH thanks for stopping by, my friend. You're a sweetheart!

    X

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  50. Hey there Angelia!

    "Did you know I almost didn't post the recent photos of myself on my blog? I looked at them and went - OH UGH! - I look horrid. I can't post that. And then, I thought...this is YOU now. This is what you look like and it is a special moment in life. So, I accepted it (flaws and all) and you know...that wasn't so bad. :-)"



    *applause*


    You GO, girl! You're absolutely right...this IS you. And I have to say that you GLOWED with such beauty in those photographs, my friend. GLOWED!


    And btw, I too have to watch myself with perfectionism because I can get very caught up in that.


    Much thanks for stopping by and sharing so honestly on this post topic. Have a SUPER week!


    X

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  51. Hellooooo Geraldine!

    "I really enjoy these kinds of books but at some point, we do have to accept that our own little quirks and habits are part of what make us interesting and unique."

    Exactly. And as I shared, it's not that I don't believe that self-help books are a positive thing because I do. However, I'm more drawn to the ones that guide me towards acceptance first.

    "One more thing, I am kind of surprised by this in a way too Ron. I expected you to be a neat fanatic too, based on other things you've shared over the months I've been reading here. We always seem to have a lot of things in common, not this time. ;-)"

    Actually, I was referring to "internal messiness" rather than external messiness with this post topic. You're right, I am a very tidy person when it comes to my home and organization. So we do have that in common. :)

    And it's funny you mentioned having cats and people assuming you would have a stinky, messy house because people use to be surprised that my home was very neat, clean, and non-smelly of cats as well.

    Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing on this post topic, my friend. Happy week to you too!

    X

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  52. Ron, I read this post this morning at work but didn't have time to response properly. Great post topic and very well-expressed. You said so much in such a short amount of words. This reminds me of something my grandmother said to me, if you wait until you're wise enough to do something you'll be waiting forever because the wisdom comes from the doing it.

    And she's right. We achieve enlightenment through learning.

    " I can’t grow if I constantly believe that I'm too messy and that I have to wait until I'm enlightened by achieving some state of guruship."



    Love that, Ron.


    Great quote too!

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  53. I realize this is purely philosophical but can I embrace my physical messiness too? Seriously I need to take a photo of my apartment...all I can say is "Oy Vey!". But the thing is I like a crazy hectic life and who wants to slow down to clean? Definitely not this girl. So even though its not what you meant I am embracing my messiness and being happy that I live a life hectic enough to cause the mess. Happy Monday my friend :)

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  54. Ron, what a brilliant post!

    For the longest time I thought that I had to constantly berate myself in order to bring about change. But things didn't change--I just became unhappier than i was before.

    I've always had this obsession with perfect, that I couldn't begin something unless conditions were absolutely right. But that's delusional thinking and it just keeps you from going forward.

    "Embracing my messiness means accepting it and then using it to move forward by trusting the value in it, and loving myself along the way."



    I love it! Thanks for writing this, buddy! Have a great week and enjoy the mess!


    Take care!

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