That's right, folks. It's time to dig out your rubber gloves, your favorite disinfectant, maybe even those little bubbles that clean the bathtub... you know the ones... like little motor cars zipping around your tub cleaning all the grit and grime that your family members have been leaving behind!
Actually, the Spring cleaning that I am referring to, is your MENTAL spring cleaning. In essence, one of the best ways for us to achieve a sense of inner peace, is to clean every facet of our lives. The environment in which we dwell should be clean, as should our thought patterns. Well, maybe I should use the word 'organized' for our thought patterns. I don't want to make this sound like a religious sermon on keeping our thoughts clean, although in my life, that is a helpful aspect of MY mental health.
In my life, I have always been a pack rat, and one with a usual amount of clutter in most of the rooms that I dwell. This very computer at which I sit is usually littered with compact discs, some of which I have recently ripped to iTunes, or some of which I have been listing for sale on eBay or Half.com. My little music business is not the most organized routine that you will encounter. I am working on it, and hopefully in the end it will make my business dealings a smoother process, as well as help me to find a little more peace at the computer. At times messes don't phase me, and other times that cause me to feel a certain amount of anxiety. It is a feeling of loosing control. Now, please don't think that I am advocating that EVERY facet of our lives needs to be tightly controlled. That way of thinking is, in my opinion, one of the greatest causes of depression.
In the state of Utah, our population is one of the most heavily medicated (per capita) in the United States. When I say "medicated", I refer to prescription anti-depressants and anxiety medications. Even I had a short stint with Celexa, an anti-depressant. Did I feel better with the medication? Probably. Did I suffer from side effects? Yes, I recall having a dry mouth, as well as sexual side effects. Some of which were to my advantage, so don't think I'm complaining TOO much.
What are the factors that lead people to get on anti-depressants? It is my opinion, that in the state of Utah, so many people get on anti-depressants because they feel that so much is expected of them, and that they don't live up to those expectations. Especially in a society that is overwhelmingly populated by the LDS church, which has a high standard of living. People in our church are discouraged from drinking, smoking, having sexual relationships outside of the bonds of marriage, as well as refraining from some of society's "norms", such as R-rated movies. Not everyone in the church lives all the rules, and many pay little heed to these moral and physical restrictions. Some people may choose to engage in these activities, and end up feeling less about themselves, because of the expectations that are placed on their heads. I feel that it is thought patterns like this that cause this mental clutter that destroys one's peace of mind.
Am I advocating the use of prescription mood enhancers? No. I wish that people could take time to figure out those things that wear on them emotionally (and mentally), and do whatever it takes to heal themselves. Do I think that some people need these medications? Yes. Heaven knows, we are all wired differently.
In my opinion, the greatest way to bring a sense of peace to our minds and souls is by doing this mental AND physical cleaning of which I spoke of, earlier. If we live in an organized environment, it brings a sense of peace. If things are clean, we feel peace. Such is the situation with our minds. We live in a society where more and more suffer depression and anxiety because of the schedules that they are forced to keep. We also live in a world that is riddled with tools that SHOULD help us to organize our time better, yet some of them just add to the chaos that we are surrounded in. We have computers, PDA's, the Internet, "smart phones", mp3 players equipped with all kinds of special features, Bluetooth technology, and GPS, which tells us WHERE to drag our busy bodies. In my line of work, as a Letter Carrier, I spend the bulk of my workday outdoors. A cell phone is more a necessity than a luxury. Just this past week, my truck's alternator failed, and I was forced to call my office to get a truck mechanic out to replace the alternator. There were several conversations that took place, that would have been difficult, had I been forced to go to a local residents house, and use their phone. It seems like cellular phones have made our lives so much easier, and in many ways they have. BUT, at the same time, it feels as if we have an umbilical chord attached to ourselves. There have been a few occasions where I have forgotten my cell phone, and I actually encountered a sense of peace from NOT having my children calling me with all their problems. Sometimes we just need to escape all the nagging and complaining of children, bill collectors and employers, and have some time to ourselves. With my job it is possible, and I understand that in some occupations it's not. All the more reason why we need to take time out of our busy day to find that peace.
For me, meditation is one of the greatest ways to bring me that mental peace. Being able to dim the lights, turn on the small electric fountain, put on a guided meditation or just some quite, relaxing music may be all I need to bring my mind into focus. It has helped me deal with anxiety, and it has helped me become a little more patient. I truly notice that the periods where I go several days without meditation, seem to be the times where I am much more anxious with those I love. In my home, I am seen as a laid-back, mellow guy... with a real temper. I am one of those individuals that seems to let things build up, and then when I blow... I BLOW! If I can let the steam off before it hits those "red levels", it is better not only for my wife and children, but for myself.
Take time for yourself. Get away from the children, the significant other and the employers, if only for 20 minutes. Do what YOU need to do, to bring YOU peace.
I will close this post for now, and continue with some thoughts of prioritizing our lives, and the benefits of cleaning our minds, NEXT TIME!
Stay tuned...
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Now playing: Simon & Garfunkel - The Sound of Silence
via FoxyTunes
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