Honoring your loved ones

This past weekend I attended my beautiful nephew’s baby naming ceremony with my family. In the Jewish tradition, it is common to gather friends and family to welcome a new member of the tribe, say a blessing over him and explain the meaning behind his English and Hebrew name. My sister and brother-in-law carefully chose a name to represent various people they love who have passed on. These people embodied love, acceptance, humor, good values and unique personalities. By bestowing a name that evokes these dear souls, my nephew is, in essence, carrying on their beloved qualities. It’s a very beautiful tradition and I was so happy to witness the ceremony.

mazeltov

Names can honor your past and so can things. When I work with organizing clients I often ask them to really consider if their sentimental items are truly honoring their deceased loved ones. Is a torn up old briefcase shining the best light on a father’s memory? If your mother hated her job but you’re keeping her office accessories, does that contribute positive energy to your own home? Probably not. When decluttering and organizing on your own, you can ask yourself if your relative or significant other would want to be remembered by this inanimate object that you’re holding onto or if they would prefer to be remembered in another way.

Photo Album

This is a great article about saving memories without saving the actual item.

  • You can save one or two items from a specific time period without saving every single thing.
  • You can take photos of the items.
  • You can be creative and turn an item into something else. Like this t-shirt quilt idea.

Be kind and remember those whom you love but be kind to yourself and your home as well.

With love, light and less clutter…

Jeni

2 Comments »

  1. Jeni, this essay is gonna help me clear out the rest of my basement. And when Matt comes home in September, I will recommend he give your post a scan, before he tackles the pile of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles stacked next to the dryer. Love you, thank you for sharing the joy of the Great Benjamin Name Day also! love, eh

    Comment by Elizabeth Hurwitz — July 12, 2016 @ 6:22 pm

  2. Love you! Good luck with the basement! xo

    Comment by Jeni — July 17, 2016 @ 1:59 pm

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