First Baptist Church of Herndon

Tie-Dye Leggings

Linda Soller | Jul 11, 2016

You wake up. You reach for your favorite shirt, or in my case my tie-dye leggings. I’ve only had them for a few weeks, but they make me smile. I wanted a pair of leggings to wear to my yoga class. I was walking through a store and this tie-dye pair caught my eye. Tie-dye speaks to my youth. This particular pair was all in greys, black, whites, really neutral for tie-dye, and so I bought them! Now every time I wear them I find myself smiling, maybe feeling a bit hip for my age. Do people even say “hip” anymore? What makes you smile? What makes you feel calm, confident, happy?

Once I was told I had a knack for layering accessories in a room. I think the comment went to my head because I reached a point where I felt like I might be drowning in accessories. My eye was racing when I entered a room, and the result was anything but relaxing. Recognizing the need for immediate action I began to de-clutter my house. I read a book by Peter Walsh a few years back and I am now reading his new book. He is an expert on dealing with clutter. It seems so easy when he says it, but for most of us it’s not that easy. Things often carry a meaning far beyond their initial or current purpose. That ugly vase belonged to Great Aunt Harriet and she made amazing cookies. Every time you dust that ugly vase you tolerate it because it practically makes you drool remembering the cookies of your childhood. It won’t bring back Aunt Harriet or her cookies, and it’s still ugly.

I think we all need to understand what makes us feel good. For some it may be things, for others it may be surroundings. Who knows what it may be for you? I am pretty sure when it comes to things, we can get by with less, thus freeing our resources to serve God. Certain surroundings may make it easier for us to restore our energy. I think you know what I mean.

I decluttered our extra bedroom by simply removing things that had no sentimental meaning to me. That was the start, but I moved on to the “ugly vase” items sitting here and there. Some things went to charity, and frankly some went to the trash. Now when I go in the room it feels restful, calm, soothing, and makes me smile. Just like my tie-dye leggings! Life is good. God is good, and much of the rest is clutter.

Have a great week!    : o)  Linda