There’s something about the last week of December and first week of January that makes us think about change.

Anticipation gives way to realization of a new year, as we evaluate the old year, and consider goals and plans for the next, fresh-new 12-month span of time we have before us.

Maybe that’s what got me to finally clean off my desk on Dec. 31^st, 2021.  It’s not like I’d never noticed the mess before.  Every time I brought my laptop up there to conduct an online coaching session, there was the clutter, in full view.

Scattered and somewhat-piled left and right to (barely) make room for a 14 inch laptop, the clutter created a sense of unsettledness, besides causing some distraction.  But had I dealt with it?  No.  Had I sorted and cleared it out?  No.

Why not?  Because I always had something “more important” to get to, or no time.  Besides, it wasn’t going anywhere—although I sometimes wished it would have!  And, once I left my office room, I could, and did, forget about it.

Until that day, Dec. 31^st.  After coaching someone (not on how to organize their room or desk!), I once again noticed how cluttered my desk looked, and again wished it were cleaner and neater.

But, this time I finally did something about it!  I Decided to dive in to the left of the laptop, and at least start.  And kept going, and going, until the left side was cleared off!  Then, I decided to go after the right side.  After all, if one side could be cleared off, the other side couldn’t be impossible.  A little harder, maybe, since it more was piled up there, but certainly doable.  Besides, one clean side and the other cluttered jarred my sense of symmetry.

Almost an hour later, I actually saw the surface of my entire desk, including the area behind the laptop!  Next to me sat a very-stuffed “circular file” (wastepaper basket), ready to join the ranks of recycling material.

Yes, it had taken more time than I’d wanted to spend on such a project, especially with more important concerns, such as getting lunch.  But it was time.

Considering the number of buried items dated as far back as 2017, including a time-sensitive tax-document, it was definitely time!  Time to sort and clear.  Clear out whatever stuff I didn’t need anymore or never needed to begin with (such as 4-year-old ads), and keep the valuable.

Digging up the valuable felt a bit like panning for 2-percent gold in the midst of 98-percent silt and stones.  But once re-discovered, I made sure to take those items off the desk and place them where they wouldn’t get buried again!

Then I dusted and cleaned the surface.

Having an uncluttered desk gives me room.  Room to think, to write on a notepad, to place my mug, phone, and whatever else I need there.  Having a clean desk is good for my health.

Out with the old and in with the new.  Keeping and protecting what’s valuable from the old, and (hopefully) only allowing what’s necessary of the new to replace it.

As pleasant as it is to enjoy an uncluttered desk, think of enjoying an uncluttered, cleared-out, cleaned-up mind (and life, by extension)!  Here are some parallels to ponder:

1. It takes motivation. We have to want a clean thought life and clear head.  What makes us want that?  The same as motivation for anything— Two ways: The pain of not doing it has to exceed the pain of doing it, or; the reward of doing it has to be greater than the comfort of not doing it.

2. It takes intentionality. We can wish for something for the rest of our lives and still not get it if we don’t plan and get proactive in making it happen.

3. It takes effort. Intentionality involves work.  Just like dealing with my desk (sorting, tossing, carrying away, etc.) it takes concentrated effort to accomplish anything, including a cleaner, more productive, thought-life.

4. It takes time and discernment. As with going through all the clutter on my desk, the effort to clear and clean our minds will be wasted if we don’t take the time to sort through our thought life!  To do this effectively, we need to discern between what to keep and protect vs. what to toss out.  How do we discern and decide that?

Ask ourselves what it’s producing.  Mess?  Distraction?  Toxicity in our feelings, behavior, and relationships?  If so, remove it quickly and ruthlessly!  If it’s producing positive outcomes, keep it, protect it, and build it up.

Phil. 4:8 acts as an excellent guideline here:  “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

We’ll cover the rest of the parallels in Part 2.  For now, ponder and apply these four, and start getting your mind clear and clean and your life in order!