It was presented as an opportunity during an early-morning coaching call. 
We were discussing the environment of our home and what we could do to improve it. Since the focus had been on the kitchen, I opted to clean out the spice cupboard.
Along with miscellaneous grody containers, 5 jars of Cinnamon, a broken salt shaker and 3 bottles of Parsley Flakes, I found spices with the following expiration dates:
Ginger – 9/23/09
Cinnamon – 08/09
Hazelnut Cream – 12/31/05
Minced Onion – 07/03
You get the point … there were many expired containers that were just filling space. Since the smell test wouldn’t be too helpful (I have chronic congestion), I tipped bottles without expiration dates upside down. If they stuck to the bottom or fell forward in big clumps, they were pitched. 33 bottles later I have a clean, sparkling shelf of spices that are waiting to create delicious recipes.
When my son lugged the bulging trash bag out the front door he set it down for a second and some muck came oozing out of the bottom. It left an 8-inch dark spot right below the Welcome mat. Yuck!
I followed him out the door, picked up the garden hose, turned the water on full tilt and said “Run or I’ll soak you.” “No you won’t”, he challenged me. He was faster than I was, but he got the point that in the line of fire he would have received his SECOND shower of the day. We laughed like two silly little kids. I can still see his face peeking around the garage door, incredulous that I’d REALLY get him wet.
Spring cleaning time! This simple exercise made me think of how much “junk” I carry around unnecessarily. While this is just one tangible example, there are many crevices that need to be sorted. This example applies not only to the home, but also to your diet, your thoughts, and every aspect of your life.
During this 45-minute exercise, I committed to taking 30 minutes a day to delve into closets, filing cabinets and (b-i-g deep breath) the GARAGE, and either give away or throw out items that have “expired” in my life. Am already visualizing how cool it will be to have a CLEAN environment that is filled with only up-to-date, useful stuff.
What is stale in your life? Do you have a cupboard filled with outdated spices? You’ll feel 10 pounds lighter if you clean ‘em out, I promise!
Here’s to Spicing It Up!
May 5th, 2010 at 6:13 am
Darlene – What a great analogy to our lives. I am sure we could all use some “spring cleaning” in one way or another. Thanks for your insight:)
May 5th, 2010 at 8:01 am
We all know the old saying, “if you haven’t used it in two years, get rid of it.” I remember a routine that George Carlin did years ago called “Stuff”. Great stuff! <<>> It’s amazing how much better and less burdened we feel, and how more more clearly we think when we allow ourselves to do exactly what you’re talking about. Let go of all that stuff that is holding you back, whether physically, mentally, emotionally, or whatever. Each day is a fresh new day to start fresh! Thanks for a great post!
May 5th, 2010 at 8:07 am
Darlene,
I like your analogy of cleaning your house with cleaning out the useless junk you carry around inside. Awesome point that both areas should be cleaned periodically!
Thanks so much for sharing,
Val
.-= Val Wilcox´s last blog ..A Journey into Self- Discovery =-.
May 5th, 2010 at 10:17 am
Great post, Darlene and it is so applicable to so many areas in our lives that need spring cleaning. Sometimes it’s hard to determine what has expired and isn’t worth holding on to any longer. Old thinking and philosophies can certainly need to be replaced with new and effective ones. Luciky there is help from great self-development mentors and from enlightened people like you who share profound insight. Thanks for sharing and it’s so cool that you nearly soaked your son with the blast of the hose.
.-= Dave and Dawn´s last blog ..Bill Gates took advantage of opportunity to succeed. So can you!! =-.
May 5th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Thanks Darlene! I know there are some things we could de-junk… Spring is a great time to do it. I also noticed a lot more ‘stuff’ out by the driveways on recycle day and garbage day this week.
I think we’re getting smarter as people.
.-= Paul Klaszus´s last blog ..Wisdom from a loser =-.
May 5th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Good job Darlene! You have cleaned up a spice cupboard and in the process gotten yourself motivated to do more spring cleaning AND through your blogging about it, motivated me to get going! I’m glad I still have 3 kids left at home~ what will I do when they leave?
.-= Linda G Cox´s last blog ..Create a Wonderful Life: reprogram your minds =-.
May 5th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
I can just see mother and son now. Thank you for another inspirational moment. I hope the thank you gift that is on the way to you will add a little more spice to your sparkling clean kitchen.
May 6th, 2010 at 4:05 am
Perfect story to address also the stuff we carry around within ourselves. I was at my Body Thoughts coaching class last night and we were talking about delving into the expired and outdated belief systems we use with which we view the world. In fact what we are learning that if you want long lasting permanent change (in our case weight loss) you have to go in and explore and then replace the expired with ones that are more useful and modern to your day and age. It can be scary and murky but it is really the only way to get you house in order.
So glad I found your blog!
.-= rebeccahappy´s last blog ..Body Thoughts Weight Loss: Focus,Thoughts and Excuses =-.
May 7th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
I am with you there Darlene I am a clean out get organised freak so I love this idea. Also when you clean out ‘stuff’ it makes room for new ‘stuff’ to enter your life. Bet you have noticed that since the spices went.
May 7th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Very timely post Darlene, I’m in the process of doing just that. I agree, the benefits this has on the way we feel is enormous. As Jerry Hicks say’s, ‘clearing clutter for clarity’.
Thanks for sharing.
May 7th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Oops, I hit submit before I signed off.
Stay well & happy
Toni
May 7th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Hey Dar,
Great post. I am in definite need of some spring cleaning. Great suggestion to have time set aside each day to make it happen. Thanks for sharing.
Make it a great day!
God Bless,
-ed
May 7th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Hi Darlene,
This is an absolutely fantastic post. I love, love, love that you had 33 jars to dispose of! I have been inspired and challenged to spend 30 minutes a day ridding myself of my excess baggage, literally and figuratively. Thanks so much for the revelation.
.-= Debbie Stevens´s last blog ..Why I Love What I Do =-.
May 9th, 2010 at 12:10 am
Darlene, great reminder to do a clean out. I heard the Danish are some of the happiest people in the world because they don’t have a lot of ‘stuff’. It makes sense. I bet you felt so good after you clean out. It is so refreshing. Good on you!
Sally
.-= Sally Bath´s last blog ..Having Fun – Do We Need To Remind Ourselves? =-.
May 9th, 2010 at 11:55 pm
Fantastic reminder Darlene. We have to make space in our lives for the new, fun and exciting things to come into our life. Spring is a great time to do this!
I used to be able to fit all my possessions in my little Datsun 120Y sedan. How much we accumulate over the years is amazing!
Cheers,
Matt
.-= Matt Jones´s last blog ..Can You Feel It Kicking? =-.
May 11th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
What a great inspiring post. Thank you Darlene. And it was so nice to meet you in LA.
.-= Bill Cowan´s last blog ..Climbing Michi’s Ladder =-.
May 11th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
I love it!
If you have Spice Girl revelations, I’m having a “Bad Romance” with clutter!! It’s time to have a garage sale this weekend!
I loved your post and the joy that you’re having spring cleaning. Great memories make cleaning way more fun!
.-= Katana Barnett´s last blog ..Comment on Autumn Moon: Remembering Artwork from Childhood by Katana Barnett =-.
June 1st, 2010 at 9:10 am
What a great inspiring post. Thank you Darlene. And it was so nice to meet you in LA.
.-= Bill Cowan´s last blog ..Climbing Michi’s Ladder =-.