Despite the chill in the air, signs that spring is just around the corner is evident. It’s evident by the flowering trees that are starting to bloom in my neighborhood. It’s evident by the daffodils timidly poking their heads through the rock hard soil. And it’s evident by my urge to sort through the stuff that it cluttering both my house and psyche.

It started a couple weeks ago when I realized I had not one jewelry box, but four. Four! So, on that rainy Saturday I decided to sort thru each of them. Gifts from family and friends, one housed some high-end pieces; two housed some mediocre costume pieces, still another, assorted brooches and rings. I was amazed to rediscover some awesome pieces that I could’ve been wearing. Those items I no longer desired I gathered up to sell at my annual yard sale. Who knew how cleansing, how freeing this would make me feel?

This banishing of clutter next morphed to my computer where I started deleting files that were no longer important, and sorting my articles and columns that I wanted to keep. Next to go were old e-mails and SPAM that seemingly multiplies like bunnies despite SPAM filters. The e-mails from the Nigerian with that sob story about not being able to access his bank account and asking me to help? Gone! Who in their right mind would fall for this anyway, I think?  Also gone are those ads that guarantee that I will lose 20 pounds -- while I’m fast asleep. Yeah right.  Likewise are the ads guaranteed to enlarge certain parts of the male anatomy, followed by those little blue pills that many middle-aged men are sucking on much like Tic-tacs in order to get their swerve on.

Lately, I’ve also started to re-examine relationships that I find less than satisfying. You know the ones that appear one-sided where you appear to be the one doing all the giving? Too often we turn a blind eye to relationship issues. Then we end up feeling hurt and resentful that we allow the status quo to continue. 

This happened recently when I asked someone I considered to be a friend to write a letter of recommendation for me. An extremely independent person, I seldom ask people to do things for me. However, this individual has known me a few years now, and was well aware of many of my accomplishments. As a writer she could’ve written a letter like this in her sleep. I recall other times she also failed to respond to requests. Even with all the craziness that is my life, I’ve always tried to honor others’ requests to write letters or assist with whatever anyone needed.
 
Rather than let my hurt feelings fester as I’ve been known to do, I addressed how I felt with the individual in question. And I feel better for it. Whether our relationship will improve remains to be seen. There really IS something empowering about spring cleaning. So, watch out spider webs and dust bunnies, you are next.