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Post by peaceseeker on Feb 1, 2020 10:30:01 GMT -5
There is a quote I copied many years ago after a
miscarriage and just before my oldest died at 24. It was read over and over
through the worst of my clutter and squalor and kept me from losing all hope. Everything
else could fall apart but I kept my bed, sink and cat litter pans usable as a
result. In January of 1999, I found the
quote again and this time I decided I wanted my oases to JOIN together enough
to find help and do the work. Over the next year, I removed all obvious trash
and decluttered 80% of the stuff in my front rooms. I started renovating my
unkept house for the first time in 20 years and joined stepping out of squalor
January 1st of this year. I didn’t remember where the quote came
from or who said it.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I found a post from CourageouslyLionSeeksSerenity “Recovery
stories to read for inspiration” takeonestepatatime.proboards.com/thread/23349/recovery-stories-read-inspiration
and
followed to Kimmy’s story. I remember some of Kimmy’s story as I would lurk on
and off at Squalor Survivors over the years. Lo and behold on page 4 is the quote
that was my lifeline and it was written by none other than pigpen! (I don’t
know how to tag yet or I would!)<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “And I concentrated on creating little oasises (?sp).
Places where we had lost the use of something due to clutter cancer. The
kitchen sink. My bed. The sofa. Things that "normal" people have,  !
Then you make it a priority to MAINTAIN each oasis. And every
day you add another one or two. And gradually the oasises (gee, wish I knew
what the plural of oasis is!) spread until that magic day when they JOIN
together!!! 
It's like paying off a mortgage. The clearing trash and
clutter is the CATCH UP or the interest. Maintaining each oasis is the KEEP UP
or principal. At first, most of your payments are interest with only a little
principal. But as you continue, the interest to be paid reduces and more of
your money (time) can go towards the principal. Eventually, you will get to the
point where there is no more interest or catch up, only keep up “
<o:p></o:p> I started crying tears of immense gratitude. I actually get
to thank the person who wrote my lifeline through the years. <o:p></o:p> From the bottom of my heart, Thank you pigpen!<o:p></o:p>
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Post by peaceseeker on Feb 1, 2020 10:31:55 GMT -5
I apologize for the weird formatting. I hunt and peck type so took 2 days to write this in word. The board obviously does NOT like to be pasted to from word.
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Post by 1rarebeautifuldove on Feb 18, 2020 22:09:38 GMT -5
Thank you for sharing this quote and for going to such an effort to do so. No worries about the formatting, it actually made it very easy to read. Nothing wrong with narrower lines of text. 
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Post by larataylor on Feb 19, 2020 6:45:19 GMT -5
oasis. plural: oases. (oh-ay-sis, oh-ay-seez) I love to create an uncluttered oasis that I can keep clean. The kitchen sink, my own bedroom, the whole kitchen, then the whole living space. This has been a great technique. I've chosen places where functionality is important, and pays off in more time and a sense of peace. |
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Post by ohblondie on Feb 19, 2020 8:30:35 GMT -5
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Post by peaceseeker on Feb 28, 2020 10:47:41 GMT -5
I'm still very new to the board and didn't even realize anyone had responded to this thread. Sorry. It pleases me when anyone gets anything out of what I share.
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Post by larataylor on Feb 28, 2020 15:50:11 GMT -5
peaceseeker - you wouldn't know unless you bookmarked the thread, or someone tagged you, as I just did
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Post by peaceseeker on Feb 28, 2020 21:19:39 GMT -5
Thank you lara!
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Post by sidestep on Jul 27, 2020 8:50:27 GMT -5
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Post by NewLifeToday on Jul 27, 2020 9:48:12 GMT -5
Thank you, sidestep. :). I was looking with the wrong search terms and parameters. Yes, this is the idea that keeps me going. Making the dots of maintenance clear and strong until I get a very nice, connected picture. Thank you very much.
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Post by peaceseeker on Jul 27, 2020 11:17:55 GMT -5
NewLifeToday, I am glad you can relate to this idea! It truly was my lifeline and I have worked very hard this year to build habits/routines/systems to start building strong habits for maintenance that I do without having to think. I want cleaning habits as strong as I wash my hands after using the restroom without even thinking.  I'll be here cheering for you!
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Post by NewLifeToday on Jul 27, 2020 11:20:30 GMT -5
peaceseeker thanks for your kindness. :). I wish you continued successes, too.
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Post by gaylem on Jul 27, 2020 20:35:54 GMT -5
Thanks regarding the oasis spots. I am slowly getting there.
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Post by def6 on Jul 27, 2020 22:26:52 GMT -5
Yes! Thank you Pigpen of Squalor Survivors. To create an little oasis of peace. I'll try it! Best wishes to you peaceseeker. |
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