Everything happens for a reason

How many times have we heard these words? I believe in the statement and I know that it's true.

Finding out what the 'reason' is....well, that's another story!

inuksuit from our travels to Juneau AK 

Moving is frequently cited as one of the most stressful life events, after the death of a loved one, divorce or illness.

I agree and would like to add that moving is even more stressful when it comes as a surprise.

Here’s my story. I live in a beautiful new building located in an uptown setting surrounded by great eateries, art, music and lots of people! The area is a product of recent urban redevelopment.  I've resided in  the building for the last 4yrs (since it 1st opened). Recently our condos were put up for sale. Based on the price (partly)I decided not to purchase my unit. Not many have been sold and the management advised us that we could request lease extensions, which I did, but instead of the extension I requested, I arrived home last week to find a "sixty day notice to vacate premises" tacked to my door - along with a list of instructions for carpet cleaning, apt cleaning, painting and where to leave my keys. Feels like I've been evicted from my home. And now…I must find a new home. In 60 days!

It's a pretty terrible time to be a renter in the Bay Area.  So many foreclosures have taken place here that it has pushed many homeowners out of their homes and into the rental market -- driving rents up and inventory down.  In addition, I will have to downsize quite a bit.  My new apt will most likely be a 1 bedroom (about 650 -700 sq ft as opposed to the nearly 1,300 sq ft I currently have) with a price substantially higher than what I pay now.

But, aside from all of this, I have to find a way to deal with it.
It is, after all, a reality.

In the wee hours of the night last week, the lotus flower came to mind. The lotus flower is often used as an example of divine beauty.  In the classical written and oral literature of many Asian cultures the lotus is present in figurative form, representing elegance, beauty, perfection, purity, grace and non-attachment.

Chinese poets also use the lotus flower to inspire people to continue striving through difficulties and to show their best part to the outside world, no matter how bad the circumstances may be. This is understood as being just like the lotus flower, bringing beauty and light from the murky darkness at the bottom of the pond because lotuses grow out of the mud pure and clean.

So, I decided to find the lesson and the reason for all of this (I believe there is always a lesson in everything!). Whenever I look for the lesson, I look to the spiritual.

My conclusion: Perhaps its time for me to simply my life.  

Join me over the next 60 days as I blog my way to downsizing, de-cluttering and simplifying my home and my life!