I spent yesterday finishing up on organizing files and getting everything in 'perfect' order. After Monday’s day of sorting thorough receipts and figures, the simple act of putting things in their proper place and throwing out what isn’t needed was quite infectious and continued throughout yesterday.

I am a list keeper – whether it be in my head or on actual paper – and I have had several things that needed this or that and were nagging me from the back of my mind to complete. While I have some thoughts on the next direction that I am going to be heading with projects and such, I didn’t feel comfortable just yet jumping in while there were still residual tasks to finish up. So I took the responsible road and started sifting through them with enthusiasm.

By the end of the day, I sat here staring at a clean desk and clean computer. All of my files are in order. All of the things I need to do (for the minute) are completed, and I can move ahead on with a clear conscience. I honestly can’t tell you when the last time was that I was in this position and I will say it feels pretty good!

Just two short days ago, I woke up with a bit of dread and anxiety because I knew that I had the task ahead of me of getting those receipts and figures in order. As I said before, it wasn’t that it all wasn’t there, but all the paperwork was piled in one place and needed to be sorted, categorized and plotted and it wasn’t something that I find as being ‘fun.’

The older that I get, the more I am finding that I bring on much of the anxiety that I experience myself. The longer I avoid something that I know that I inevitably need to do, the higher the anxiety level climbs. By facing the issue (whatever it is) almost every single time I find that when I am finished, I had done a lot of worrying for nothing, and things are never as bad as they seemed to be. Even if there are little hiccups along the way, having a plan to deal with them and doing so is far better than the things that my mind is able to come up with and sitting by passively and waiting for things to happen. There is something quite therapeutic about being active in ones own fate.

So today I am starting with a clean slate.

I have many, many great ideas for all kinds of cool designs and all I need to do is get busy with them and make them happen. My mind is free and full and I feel great about all the wonderful things today will bring. It certainly was worth the time I spent to get to this point.

Have a wonderful and creative Wednesday!

-- Contributing Editor, Creative Woodworks and Crafts, Sheila Landry Designs,http://www.sheilalandrydesigns.com "Knowledge is Power"