DrDeClutterBlog.com

Social networking is all the rage now, we hear about Twitter and Facebook, MySpace and YouTube on sitcoms, the nightly news and commercials, it’s absolutely mainstream. Social networking is changing how we use, watch, learn about and report the news and information, as well as make connections — business and personal. All good! 

But . . . if computers and online-lives are taking away from family time, is it all good?

This is a question each person must ask themselves in the battle to stay connected to our families, children and spouses; to enrich our lives with our families — not to invite one more distraction into our lives of strangers and information that may make no difference (what you ate for breakfast) and BFFs who change weekly.

Studies are coming out now showing that online social networking contributes to less time spent with family, affecting family connections and relationships.

In the first half of the decade, families reported spending 26 hours a month together. By 2008, that dropped to 18 hours, according to the Annenberg Center for the Digital Future.

Certainly varying work schedules, travel, rising dual-income households, increasing commute times and work days, and participating in multiple children’s sports and activities are factors too. But the quick and continual (meteoric) rise of online social networking — what is new, exciting, cool, affordable and accessible by almost everyone — overshadows many of these other reasons in some families.

What can we do? Enjoy, use and utilize what are amazing technological advances and systems to help us connect like no other time in history, to do business, meet new people, help one another and create communities that in fact can be very helpful and real. And, at the same time, make sure you are shutting it off, making face-to-face contact and time with your family, kids, friends and others who are here and now right in front of you.

Need we remind ourselves of the famous Harry Chapin song lyrics . . .

“And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you comin home, dad, I don’t know when,
But we’ll get together then, Son,
You know we’ll have a good time then.”
Cat’s in the Cradle and Other Hits

The sadly ironic thing about this new distancing of relationships is that all the family members are in the same room, on cell phones, computers and other mobile devices, all talking to people around the world (and sometimes to the person within touch distance!!), but not one another! They ARE all home, but not HOME. 

Relationships take time and work. Use it or lose it applies! And, if we’re talking about you being a parent, it’s a whole ‘nother level to this issue. You and your children will pay for gaps in their time with you for a life time. That is not worth it. Childhood development depends on real-time with parents and family, make sure to make that happen.

Am I an “online social networker?” You can find me at on Twitter. Not every moment, but I’m there, http://twitter.com/drdeclutter  Just getting onto Facebook (to tell the truth, ‘m not great at all these sites – I like “face-to-face”.)

And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
~ Lee Greenwood

Click here and see Greenwood’s music video.

Remember our soldiers — men and women –

fighting for peace throughout the world.

This Friday is Memorial Day Weekend Friday.

There have been emails floating around re: wearing blue or red shirts/clothes to show attention to and honoring our soldiers this and every Friday.

You can check out this site re: Red Shirt Fridays: http://www.redshirtfridays.org/

Whatever we can do anytime to remember our soldiers is a good thing.

Do what works for you. Keep them all in your best thoughts and prayers.

Thank you all soldiers and troops who keep our land and lives safe and free.

As “dream jobs” go, or dreams in general, this guy must be reeeeaaallly happy!

34 year old Ben Southall from the United Kingdom had a great day May 6th. He was named Caretaker of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef in the race for Queensland’s “Best Job in the World” .

What’s the job? A six-month contract to serve as caretaker of a tropical Australian island. Ben beat out nearly 35,000 applicants from around the world for the dream assignment to swim, explore and relax on Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef while writing a blog to promote the area.

He was selected for the 150,000 Australian dollar ($111,000) gig by officials from the tourism department of Queensland state.

What would be your Best (Dream) Job in the World?

Ben had been a Project Manager / Charity Fundraiser in Petersfield, Hampshire, England. What you do now may or may not have a thing to do with your Dream Job/Life!

What would be your Best (Dream) Job in the World? 

This is something to really think about!

We draw to us our most desired and “felt” thoughts and dreams.

DO THIS: Schedule 15 – 30 minutes a day and sit quietly/undistracted and write/draw/paint out your picture, your story of your dream job, Ben Southall did and starts it July 1. AND HE GETS PAID!

Why not you too!?

There’s no judgement at to what your dream job is, just start writing and see what shows up on your paper pad. You may have a dream job inside of you that you didn’t know was there, just yearning to come out and come alive!

Why not you too!?

Let me know what it is! And, when you start!!

I’m rootin’ for ya!

PHOTO: Picture by Queensland Tourism: Ben Southall, 34, right, is seen on Daydream Island in Queensland, Australia having his picture taken.

There are choices we can make to stay stress free, more accountable and responsible, better friends and a better human being while helping to keep us more organized and orderly as well. Miriam Hamilton Keare (or my mom!) is said to have penned these tidy little rules and guidelines for a happy and rewarding life, I’ve always loved them.

1. If you open it, close it.

2. If you turn it on, turn it off.

3. If you unlock it, lock it up.

4. If you break it, admit it.

5. If you can’t fix it, call in someone who can.

6. If you borrow it, return it.

7. If you value it, take care of it.

8. If you make a mess, clean it up.

9. If you move it, put it back.

10. If it belongs to someone else, get permission to use it.

11. If you don’t know how to operate it, leave it alone.

12. If it’s none of your business, don’t ask questions.

There is no age too young or too old to abide these guides. #11 however would keep most of us from using cell phones, computers, anything digital and TV. Hmmm. It could also keep people from dating! 

“There is no limit whatsoever to the measure of sacrifice
that one may make in order to realize this oneness with all life,
but certainly the immensity of the ideal sets a limit to your wants.
That, you will see, is the antithesis of the position
of the modern civilization which says, “Increase your wants.”
Those who hold that belief think that increase of wants means
an increase of knowledge where by you understand the Infinite better.
On the contrary, Hinduism rules out indulgence and multiplication of wants,
as these hamper one’s growth to the ultimate identity of the Universal Self.”
~ Gandhi, The Dark Eye in Africa, by Laurens Van Der Post; Morrow, 1955.

 Gandhi knew East and West and committed his life to knowing and living from and for his Universal Self. All religions teach of the want and desire for riches and too much material wealth and “stuff” – greed, control and possessiveness — keeps us from our highest and best selves, from knowing our deepest and sacred selves.

“Too much” is a distraction from what is organic, what is simple, what is “enough” and what works.

How does wanting more and more,
and clutter and disorganization
keep you from your best self?

It’s a question necessary for examination in order to define which is sane or insane in our “consumer-driven, disposable, made to wear out” world.

©2009 Kim Wolinski, MSW “Dr. DeClutter” Stress, Change and Organizational Skills Expert  www.drdeclutter.com

Editors and publishers are free to reprint blog articles as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and the signature line remains intact.

Thank a Veteran, today and everyday for helping keep our land and our lives free.

Take just a few minutes on November 11th to thank them all, alive and gone, in silence.

Take just A Pittance of Time.

BOOK REVIEW:  Achievement IQ Moments by Mr. Achievement, Stanley Bronstein.

I love this book! A great read for anyone wanting to be reminded that no matter what happens in our lives, we can take the A.IQ leap to positively change our direction and destiny.

Bronstein interviewed 50 extraordinary people who have life and career stories proving that we can make a great life out of chaos, loss and confusion; that we can thrive wherever we are and look back over the detours and bumps and see that they all made sense to get where we are now.

Bronstein’s stories are 2-3 pages each. Quick reads and powerful real-life stories of people alive and well today, with dot com information to find each and learn more or even contact them!

This is the third in Bronstein’s books helping others get and stay on the path they truly want to live and experience, no matter what happens.

I highly recommend Achievement IQ Moments. Click here to order.

WHAT I THINK ABOUT THIS BOOK: 

Achievement IQ Moments should be used in junior and senior high schools, colleges and as a gift for students and young people. Bronstein’s real-life stories of what others have done to get from there to here are positive, uplifting and practical. The choices his interviewees took to move through their personal tragedies, diversity and usual life-decision confusing times – to leap into the opportunities that created lives of success and joy – are brilliant role models for anyone, but so much more for those just starting on their life’s career paths. In fact, prisons might be a good candidate too!

What I love about Achievement IQ Momentsis that the stories of those Bronstein interviewed are not the “same old names and stories” heard too many times. They are fresh and alive, here and now. Each one teaches how A.IQ Moments moved them beyond stuck places, obstacles and disasters. They teach and show steps to success and awesome lives that we all can relate too and strive to use and become.

Achievement IQ Moments offers the reader great examples and proof of helping others, support “up the ladder” and “out of the pits” of life by others. It reminds over and over that no one does it alone, no one moves into the best places of life alone. It also reminds the reader to be proactive and ask questions to let others know help is needed!

Achievement IQ Momentsis written in short and sweet chapter stories, making it easy to read for any age, memorable and impactful.

In the dot com age, it’s nice to be able to follow up on each of the people in the stories of  Achievement IQ Moments for more information and/or to follow their lives and yet-to-unfold stories into the future. It makes it real and more personal too.

I’m all about underdogs! My favorite story of the many breakthrough stories in Achievement IQ Moments is Chapter 33, of immigrant and baker, Andrew Ly. What a wonderful story of one who kept on moving, even when everything said to stop, more than once, while carrying his family and others up the river of joy and abundance with him and his vision.

Paul Newman died Friday of cancer.

What I want to say about this regarding “organizing” is that Newman was not only a movie star and director, but a hard worker, friend and family man, giving graciously to charities and started his own, Newman’s Own Foundation. He and his lovely wife Joanne Woodward were very organized in all areas of life.

“There is a point where feelings go beyond words. I have lost a real friend. My life — and this country — is a better place for his being in it,” stated Robert Redford.

Co-star Sally Field said, “Sometimes God makes perfect people, and Paul Newman was one of them.”

See a full write up, click here. 

Goodbye Paul, you are already missed.

Just a fun story. Some cows just think they’re dogs. If it works… keep it up!

 (Sorry, I tried to get the video right here, but it won’t stick)

Click here and see a great story from Boulder, CO… Only in Boulder… County!

You will have to listen to a very short commercial first.

http://cw2.trb.com/video/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=2815996