Keep It Moving

As I was doing a major desk purge, I came across the following quote by Alice Roosevelt Longworth:

I have a simple philosophy. Fill what’s empty. Empty what’s full.

I thought about my 3 year old. Her favorite thing to do at the moment is just that. She will spend hours transferring dried beans and pasta from one container to the next, sometimes spooning, sometimes pouring, but usually singing or narrating. She’ll do the same thing with a paper bag or furry backpack. She fills it up, takes it to another room and empties it out, only to fill it again and take it away. In the bath, same thing; fill the cup and empty the cup. Movement is fascinating.

As I purged my office yesterday, I emptied several containers only to fill them again with more useful or appropriate contents. I realized that much of the treasure inside had become obsolete or otherwise unimportant (so I filled my empty recycling can!) I also found information and ideas on scraps and great little boxes that had been hiding too long and needed new homes so that they would again be treasures for a season.

I found several coins in my purge. Have you ever noticed that even money needs to move around and change hands or it gets a bit powdery and funny looking?

During my “shower thoughts” today, I pondered all the things that spoil when left to sit. I think festering thoughts are the worst. Harsh words harbored. The assumption never checked. Apologies left unsaid. Sometimes, with one action (letting go, seeking truth or finding forgiveness) we can empty and fill at the same time.

What are you ready to empty? What would you like to fill?