The topic of finding inner spaciousness has been lingering in my mind and heart since my last blog.
It has lead me to explore the difference between striving and stillness. 
I guess the fact that I went from a tangible experience of finding space in an overfilled storage closet to finding space in my heart and mind for a new and more peaceful way of “seeing” God, self, and others has really intrigued me.
I have often been fascinated by the fact that many times spiritual and personal truths are inspired (or revealed) within the context of everyday life and arise from something very concrete, simple, and/or tangible. Often such revelations come from Mother Nature herself.
We seem to think we have to look hard and dig deep to be spiritual, enlightened, or inspired. However, that is not the case.
As it turns out, Truth and inspiration is hidden in plain sight. But our inner clutter makes it difficult to find.
Stillness, Grace, and Peace are ever present and available, just waiting to be revealed, acknowledged, and embraced.
As people who are committed to shepherding our children well, it is easy to clutter our days and our lives in the pursuit of achievement, accumulation, and aspirations.
As a life coach, I see many parents become exhausted in striving. I listen to their anxious worries and watch as exhausted tears fill the rims of their eyes. They often work hard to meet more than their children’s needs.
As parents we often fall prey to public opinion, and miss out on (even neglect) nurturing our own souls.
Of course we want our little “peeps” to develop their inner resources. But we forget that to guide them there we must first know the terrain.
Do we know what the predators are that enter our inner sanctuary/space to rob our peace?
They vary with our own inclinations and addictions. But feelings of lack (not enough . . . not good enough . . . . not smart enough . . . not successful enough etc) are common feelings and judgments that invade our inner space and rob us of inner peace.
We fall prey to the mania of more. It leads to endless striving.
STRIVING is being present to what ISN”T (happy when…)
It is fueled by fear
It’s focus is on lack and want
Inner space is the place of soul, a place where God’s love lingers in wait.
STILLNESS is being present to what IS (calm in chaos)
It is fueled by faith
It’s focus is on Presence, wholeness, completeness
With practice, (a lot of practice) we learn to move from striving to stillness. Our interior changes much like my cluttered closet changed. And by the way, not one thing has fallen off the closet shelves since I hired a professional organizer! Again, you can check out the service and pictures at www.neatnestorganizing.com.
Our minds can be like over stuffed closets!
I wish for each of us the peace that comes from allowing ourselves to discover space between our thoughts.