And while I’m at it, I’d just like to take this opportunity to say “thank you” to my cancer before I bid it farewell.
Dr. Emily McCatchey
The idea of putting Marie Kondo’s Tidying Up plan into action stirs up both panic and excitement all at the same time. While the goal of tidiness by choosing joy in our spaces is worthwhile, it’s the process that stops me before I even think of getting started.
Until I read a gem written by Dr. Emily McCatchey.
“KonMari” method is the central aspect of gratitude in the clearing of clutter. Keep only that which currently brings you joy, but don’t forget to be grateful to those belongings which served you before you discard them; taking a moment to say thank you to the object you are about to trash or donate.
In her article, Dr. McCatchey tells the story of “KonMari-ing” her home while her child was in the process of needing and undergoing open heart surgery. “After several months of work, I emerged remarkably freer, and with greater clarity than perhaps I have ever had at any point in my life. “
Her son is now healthy. She now has breast cancer.
Time, once again, to TIDY UP.
Goodbye hair. Thank you for framing my face just so and hiding the little wrinkles on my forehead. Thank you for the opportunity to know what it’s like to not have to plan the whole routine of washing, drying, curling, perfecting.
Goodbye energy: days of busyness and the feeling that I was accomplishing tasks that just must be done. Thank you for the downtime to look out the windows I clean in such a hurry that I never even noticed the birdhouse perched in the neighbor’s tree. Thank for you making me available for friends and family to sit and have meaningful conversation.
Then, the end goal (said best by Dr. McClathchey):
“Thank you, cancer, for distilling my life. Thank you for reminding me that I don’t really care about how much I weigh or whether I get those new shoes or if my house is sufficiently presentable to guests or if my two-year-old eats that bite of broccoli or my four-year-old takes 20 minutes to get her shoes on or my six-year-old stays up past her bedtime reading her favorite story again. You’ve completed your service in my life, cancer, and now you may go. Don’t let the door hit you on your way out.”
Find your joy today. We’d love to help. Our 24 Hours in the Canyon Cancer Survivorship Center is full of joy. Joy from looking at yourself with a new wig, counseling sessions, nutrition counseling, oncology massage, group exercise classes (for all levels of strength), book club, and the list goes on… Learn more at www.24Survivorship.org.
From all of us at the Harrington Cancer and Health Foundation
For more insight and wisdom, read Emily McClathcey’s full blog by clicking the link below.
https://kidolences.com/blogs/blog/on-tidying-up-my-cancer