Guys, I did a Mr. Miyagi thing yesterday.

Do you remember  The Karate Kid, when Pat Morita (Mr. Miyagi) wanted to teach Ralph Macchio (Karate kid) how to focus his energy by polishing the car? He wanted the Karate kid to throw himself into a repetitive set of actions, a balanced rhythm, with the practical side benefit of a nicely polished car.  Mr. Miyagi was giving his student practice in an exercise that would benefit him in karate. I don't know anything about karate, but I got it anyway. There was nice symmetry in those movements. It was very graceful too. When I saw the movie, I also did what Mr. Miyagi said, and washed my car the same way. Odd. It balanced me. It really did.

Well I decided I needed that same sort of exercise yesterday. I needed the discipline of a repetitive action, a rhythm that could become second nature to me, like a reflex. Something I could get into very easily without ritual but with grace. And besides which, my house needed cleaning. Clutter is bad feng shui and it's beneficial to get rid of it. Also, like the shiny car, I could use a shiny oven and a shiny refrigerator. All side benefits of the BIG benefit, which was to put my mind in a better position for success. GET RID OF CLUTTER! You don't want your brain to be mildewed like the strawberries you forgot in the back of the refrigerator.

You have to clear your mind like you have to clear your house. The house is symbolic. It was pitch and polish day for me. If you haven't used it in a couple years, then pitch it. No, not your jewelry. But clothes yes. Magazines, yes. Old paperbacks, uhhh well. Things in your pantry, yes. All those glass jars and plastic containers, yes. Old IM programs that are now obsolete. Get rid of them.  You don't need all that gift wrap either. Haha, I collect gift wrap, but giving a bunch to my niece. Shopping bags, get rid of them. Well, Goodwill had a bonanza day from me yesterday.  If you're not using it, someone else can use it. Pass it on.

I know I'm covering different disciplines here all at once. That was my day yesterday.  I'm not finished, but my house looks great. My studio is organized. My mind is not bogged down by lack of organization and clutter. More to go. From experience, I know my work will benefit from clearing out the clutter. It's all about focus.