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Thoughts and Reflections of 2020

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2020 was a year like we’ve never seen before. It was year of major challenges for most, yet for some, great successes. It took me a moment or two to decide what to say as we enter 2021, this New Year. So, I’ve chosen to share some of my thoughts and reflections of the first few months of 2020. In January, we welcomed the first year of a New Decade! A year of self-empowerment. A year for us to have the confidence, in who will are and what we are capable of, and to take at least one step closer to our goal, dream and purpose.

In February, we were stepping outside our comfort; realizing that Nothing is Impossible, if we believe in ourselves.  We discovered that “It’s always the right time for us to seize the opportunity to learn, grow, and be empowered to make our dreams a reality!” Then by March, we found ourselves in the midst of a worldwide pandemic and our lives would never be the same. From a very practical perspective, we needed to make major adjustments to having everyone in the house all the time. We had to focus on managing our households in our “new normal” by being innovative, creative and with careful planning. We needed to create living spaces that made us feel at ease, yet productive. This meant that we may have had to create new habits, which included a different daily routine and a more flexible schedule.

Here we are ten (10) months later and each day is a new adventure… Recently, I heard a preacher say, “Now don’t leave 2020 empty handed!” He was referring to a story in the Bible, when the children of Israel left Egypt after 400 years of bondage, with all the riches of that country. We can’t afford to go through all that we went through in 2020 and come into 2021 with nothing. We may not have monetary riches, but we definitely have a wealth of knowledge of the strength and resilence that we may not have known that we had… Now that we’ve taken just a few moments to look back, let’s begin to look forward into what the future holds for all of us.

We Welcome the 2nd Year of a New Decade!
What is the one word you would use to describe 2021?

I pray that you enjoyed this time of thoughts and reflections of 2020. I am going to begin a new series, comprised of excerpts from my 2020 Order Your Steps newsletter. So Stay Tuned for…

“My Thoughts, Reflections and Revelations of 2020″

A Tale of Re-Gifting

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sun

Sun sculpture at Minn. Inst. of Arts

Aunt Susie’s house is always immaculate, but she seems to always give me the weirdest gifts.  Last year, she gave me a bright yellow scrulpture of the sun.  I am not sure why, I guess she liked it and thought that I would too. Of course, I didn’t want to hurt her feelings.  Aunt Susie visits me once every three (3) years and I must set it out so that she can see it…. Need I say more????  Consider this, “Aunt Susie, I loved the bright yellow scrulpture of the sun, so much that I gifted it to the children’s museum and it’s on display.  Next time you visit we must go see it.  (I am not suggesting that we lie … now we simply have to find a museum to take it!  :-D)

I am not suggesting that we hurt anyone’s feelings, but as a professional organizer, I go into so many homes that have really nice gifts that they were given that they just can’t give away.  The clients has had “it” for so many years, that he person may have even forgotten that they gave it to them.  The holidays are here and here are just a few questions that we should ask ourselves.

  • Where are my Christmas gifts from last year?  or better yet…
  • Who were my gifts from last year?
  • How about the year before?  Do I remember?

If the gift(s) was /were memorable, it should been wore, at least once… or on display for everyone to see.  Do we know where the gifts are or are they still in the box somewhere?  I know that we don’t always get the gifts that we want or like, but if we continue to accummulate them and simply store them away, eventually even the person that gifted it to us may notice…  or maybe not?

Now I have another question…  Do our children remember what they got for Christmas last year or the year before?  That’s a whole different post of its own!!!  LOL !!! 😀

box with toys

The Secret of Re-Gifting Toys

NOTE: Post originally written “Pre-COVID” – Dec., 2015

What is Virtual Organizing?

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From time to time, I’ve mentioned virtual organizing, but many of you may still be wondering just “what is virtual organizing?”. 2020 has been a year of major changes, especially due to COVID. Therefore, for our health and safety, much of our daily routine and even the services that we receive rely heavily on technology. Professional organizing services are no exception. With 2021 quickly approaching, this is the perfect time of year to make sure that “Our House is in Order”.

We have been pushed into an environment, where we telework, our schools are virtual and we even shop for our groceries on-line. As a result, we spend alot more time in our homes. Virtual organizing allows us to continue to support you as we declutter and organize our home, work and virtual learning spaces. Keep in mind that the organizing process is the same, rather it’s on-site or virtual. Organizing virtually simply enables us helps you to sort, purge and organize your stuff, utilizing video conferencing.

Our overall organizing project begins…

Step One: We begin with free phone consultation. During our conversation, we will discuss your needs, wants and desires for an organized space. The most exciting part for me, is when I receive a picture or short video of your space.

Step Two: I will analyze the space in the same way that I would if I was there in person. I will develop an action plan prior to our virtual assessment.

Step Three: I schedule and conduct a virtual assessment, which begins with a “live” video tour of your space via FaceTime, Google Duo, Zoom, etc. This will also allow me to actual see my prospective client and share our thoughts and ideas on how to proceed.

Step Four: After the virtual assessment, the client will decide if they are comfortable with the plan and then we will schedule our first virtual organizing session.

Throughout 2020, we have had to adjust to doing more things virtually that we were accustomed to doing in person. As this way of life continues, it’s important that our space remain uncluttered and organized so we will be productive in a peaceful environment.

Virtual Assessment Only $25.00 for 30 min.

For more details on Virtual Organizing, just click the link… If you have more questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or text at 301-437-4610.

It’s Almost Thanksgiving

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So whether you are preparing for an in-person or virtual family gathering, remember it’s a time to be grateful for family and friends, not stressed and overwhelmed by all the details. Although, we’re only two days away, let’s take a few moments to answer the three most important questions:

  1. What is the menu?
  2. Who’s coming to dinner?
  3. Who’s cooking what? (if applicable)

We want to minimize the frustration level, especially for the hosts/cook(s), our family, friends and guests. Our key objectives are to have plenty of time set aside for our prayer of thanksgiving and to have dinner prepared on schedule. Below are a few suggestions to fine tune our preparation time and maximize our time to enjoy each others’ company.

Keep it Simple!

1. Stage your kitchen counter by having all your ingredients readily available. So, how many trips to the store do you make before dinner last year?

2. Confirm the food items that others are bringing and have extra dishes prepared, just in case.

3. Check the guest list and prepare for the unexpected. Make more food than needed, instead of less. If your gathering is virtual, you may want to have your guests to test the videoconferencing platform ahead of time.

4. Prepare to have dinner ready on time, or at least earlier, than later.

Now take a little breather before the guests arrive or the virtual dinner begins. Then be ready to greet your family, friends and special quests.

Give Thanks for His Goodness & Eat your Glorious Dinner!

Get Ready for Dessert and Coffee & ENJOY YOUR DAY!

Stay Safe and Healthy!
COVID Guidelines for the Holidays

There’s still A lot of Laundry

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So how are you doing with the laundry? The pile may begin in the spare room or on the futon in the office, but it will continues to grow! We may want to take a portion of the pile into our bedroom, fold them and put them away. It takes about 10 min., for real…

We would love to help you, call us and schedule a virtual assessment.

So Much Laundry…

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I’d venture to guess that laundry may not be your most favorite thing to do… am I right? I would also suspect that since we’re spending more time at home and we’re wearing more casual clothes (not even considering the childrens’ clothes)…

There’s so Much Laundry!

I’d like to suggest to you a system for doing your laundry. First, let me say that in my experience, the laundry process stalls at the “fold and put away” stage. For some, once we take the clothes out of the washing machine, they go into a pile somewhere and we pull from the pile when needed. Sound familiar? Well, here is a system that you make want to consider…

  1. Sort your clothes into smaller loads (but not too small) and by category, i.e.
    1. Underwear, socks, sleepware, etc.
    2. Tops and bottoms (separated by color)
    3. Etc.
  2. Wash, dry and then fold right out of the machine. If possible, use your washer and dryer as your folding table. Then put clothes away.
  3. While you’re folding one load, you can be washing the next load.

Hopefully that was not too elementary, but my point is… if you invest the time upfront to fold and put away, your laundry will not continue to pile up and become out of control. Many times the smallest changes can make the biggest different. Now you have one less thing to stress about.

Let’s Make it a Happy Laundry Day(s)!

Order Your Steps is Open

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Order Your Steps continues to move forward in business and in ministry. I’ve continued to allow the Lord to take the lead, so I’m not moving too fast, taking it one step at a time. I’m waiting patiently for God to open doors and close others. For me, waiting does not mean standing still. I continue to prepare for the future by promoting my business thru social media and our monthly newsletter. I post alot more consistently and I’ve updated our website with some new pics and changed some old ones. Check out my Photo Gallery!

I’ve streamlined my work process to include a virtual assessment and on-line virtual organizing sessions, which is going extremely well. My on-site sessions are more structured and I have specific COVID guidelines for the health and safety of my clients and myself. All in all, my opportunities to minister continues to grow, one on one and even in small virtual groups. God’s plan for me has not changed…

Remember, we still have a purpose to fulfill, but we may just have to do things a little differently. Let’s continue to prepare for the changes ahead!

God’s Plan for Us has Not Changed

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I pray that all are safe and healthy. The state of this world right now, may be causing us a little stress, anxiety and uncertainty. However, I believe that many of us may be in places where we really do NOT want to be, but may I suggest that we are just where God needs us to be … because God has a uniquely designed plan for each of us. Our message comes from the Book of Jeremiah, verses 10-14 (KJV). I hope that this message will inspire and encourage you.

10 For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Most times, we single out verse 11, but today let’s put it in context, by looking at the backstory. Starting with Jeremiah 27:22 KJV, God says, They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith the Lord; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place. God told Jeremiah to tell ALL the nations of Israel, good and bad about His plan & it was non-negotiable. I believe that God will use whatever He feels necessary to move us out of our comfort zone and into our purpose that He has ordained for us...a pandemic though!?!?

Point # 1 – Flourish & Be Blessed in ALL situations

Beginning in Jeremiah 29:5, God says now while you are in captivity in Babylon, I want you to Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;  He tells them to marry and have children and then He goes on to say in verse 7, Seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. We should set aside that quiet time to seek the peace of God that passeth ALL understanding that will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7 (paraphased)

Point # 2 – We have an Expected End

Jeremiah 29:11, The Message translation says, I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. 2020 did not catch God by surprise! 

Point # 3 – Worship is a Command

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.  Jeremiah 29:13 KJV … We should take the time to worship God for Who is and to thank Him for what He’s already done. Not only praying for God to just fix things, but to ask Him what He needs us to do.

When we go through tough situations, it is to remind us that God is God. In Isaiah 55:8 (paraphased), He says, as far as the heaven is from the earth are my thoughts from your thoughts and my ways from your ways. We just need to stop trying to figure God out.  What He does is just not going to make sense! If we would truly trust God with our whole heart and lean not on our understanding, acknowledging Him in ALL our ways and He will direct our paths [and decisions]. Proverbs 3:5-6 (paraphrased) … even when we are tired, discouraged, uncertain and even stressed, God is Still God and He’s with us every step of the way (Read Psalm 91).

There’s not only a MIRACLE after this, there’s a MIRACLE in this, no matter what your “this” looks like. 

God’s plans for us have not changed!