February 26, 2024
February
The name of this month comes from the Latin “Februa”.
This was an ancient festival of purification and cleansing, celebrated on the 15th of this month.
I don’t know this.
I Googled it !!!
I was just curious.
Apparently, pagan Romans marked this time by ritually washing themselves, and by offering prayers and sacrifices to the gods of the deceased.
Now I’m even more curious?
How do 'we' mark this month of the year in our day and age?
We're running out of time.
We’ve already had Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, Paczki Day, Ash Wednesday, Family Day, and we're still in the midst of Black History Month.
Was there any purification and cleansing in any of those events?
I doubt it!
I wonder if we might use the remaining days of February to do some cleansing of the ’stuff’ in our homes and our lives?
Things that are no longer of value, have no useful function, and just get in the way.
Stuff that collects dust and clutters our home and lifestyle.
Books, clothes, shoes, kitchen items, Tubberware (ouch!), linens, receipts, old paint cans, and glassware.
The list is endless.
What if our “Februa” was to do a thorough cleansing of the stuff in our lives?
I'm reminded of my wife’s favourite acronym for house cleaning and organizing, which she was so skilled at:
SPACE…
S- Sort…organize your stuff by category…eg.- Clothes in one area. All books in another area.
P- Purge… what items are no longer useful and need to be designated for the garbage?
A- Allocate…what items could be allocated to a charity, other family member or friend?
C- Containerize…put all your pens in one container, all your family pictures in another container!
E- Equalize…whatever ONE item enters your home, what OTHER item needs to go?!
Now I'm getting revved up!
It's time to get an early start on spring-cleaning.
And…we’ve even been given an extra day in February to do it.
I know where I'm starting…the basement.
Wish me luck!
What about you?!
