Welcome!  This is a Lake Forest Park community project where parents & neighbors organize ourselves into groups to apply principals of Feng Shui and Clutter Clearing to our homes, collect the good stuff we don't need anymore, have a huge pre-Christmas Bazaar and collect money to help fill our school district budget gap.

Downloadable Resources!  Click on the one you want for a PDF you can print or download.

For small group leaders:  Group Guide


Seminar 1, Beth Schermer's RAISING THE ROOF:
 Outline of Raising the Roof
 Journal Entry - Housework
 Journal Entry - Letting Go
 Exercise:  Goal Setting Activity
   you will need this form for the Goal Setting Activity
 Exercise:  Take A Tour of Your Home

Seminar 2, Sara Eisen's CLEAR THE CLUTTER!
 Outline of Clear the Clutter
 Exercise:  Junk Drawer Organizing

Seminar 3, Gwen Williams' INTERIOR REDESIGN
 Outline of Interior Redesign
 Exercise:  Living Room Transformation Using Interior Redesign

Seminar 4, Piper Lauri Salogga's PEACE AND VITALITY
 Outline of Peace and Vitality
 Exercise:  Bagua map

Seminar 5, Christine Marie Wallace's SIMPLE TOOLS TO CREATE HARMONY WITHIN
 Outline & Assignment:  Click Here


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Lighten The Load

Group Guide

 

 

 

 

The simple act of clearing clutter can transform your life

by releasing negative emotions, generating energy,

and allowing you to create space in your life

for the things you want to achieve.

 

--Karen Kingston, author of Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September to November 2009

Lake Forest Park, WA

to Benefit Lake Forest Park Elementary Schools

 

copyright 2009, www.lightupthefuture.org

 

 

 

 

Contents

 

 "clutter is postponed choices"

 

 

 

Lighten The Load Group Guide

pg 3 of 9

 

 

Get Ready

 

To be ready for the Kick Off please make a list of your group with their phone number & email,  Email your list to edy@sattlepowersearch.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Lighten The Load Group Guide

pg 4 of 9

Panel Discussion Evening...Lighten the Load and Light Up the Future

 

 

This will contain links to the videos which recorded the panel discussion.

Please stand by for links, video is being uploaded.

 

Group Meeting 1...organize & visualize 

 

Greetings

Rules

Form Buddies Accountability Partners and arrange our way of working together (each pair decides if they will use email, phone, a combo, notebooks, whatever.)

Getting to Know You...go around in a circle and each person share who they are and where they presently are in the "clutter/declutter' phases in their environment.

Exercise ... My Home & Life... what's cluttered?...everyone take 5 minutes and make a list of all rooms or areas that are cluttered.

Now take 5 more minutes each and share that list with your partner.

Choose your Project...each person select a project from the list

Write a list of the components of your project.  What is the to do list?  Share it with your partner.

Existance System (calander?  smartphone?)  getting it in there.

 

 

 

Lighten The Load Group Guide

pg 5 of 9

Seminar 1

Raising the Roof

Connect With Your Home & Change Your Life
Elizabeth Schermer, Fundamental Feng Shui

 

Raising the Roof: Clear your Clutter and Change your Life

Tuesday, October 6, 7 – 8:30 pm

Would you like to experience more ease and flow in your daily life? Live in a home that truly nourishes you? It’s possible. In this fun and informative evening we will explore:
·         How house work and home maintenance tasks can be energizing and inspiring
·         Ways to “read” the energy in your possessions so you know which ones nourish you
·         Different forms of clutter that may be affecting you
·         How your closets and garage affect your health and prosperity
·         Techniques to create sacred space that can nourish you throughout the year
Take advantage of the opportunity to reconnect with what you love, let go of what no longer serves you, and develop a whole new relationship with your home.

Clearing your clutter really can change your life!

 

 

Group Meeting:

 

1.  Greetings

2.  What's happened for each of us this week (quick check in)

3.  How was the seminar?  Questions?  Insights?

4.  Here is the "checklist" to work on (this item will be available to download Wednesday, Oct. 7, 9 a.m.)

5   Here is the "homework" to guide you through the week in your process (this item also will be available to download Wednesday, Oct. 7, 9 a.m.)

6.  Exercise:  list of things that I accomplished or good things that happened last week:

7.  Exercise:  what I want for next week:

8.  Goodbyes (Buddies plan to check in with each other or get together to work if they prefer.)

  

 

Lighten The Load Group Guide

pg 6 of 9

Seminar 2

Clear it Out

Creating and Maintaining Order

Sara Eizen, Nest

 

 

Title:  Clear it Out – Creating and Maintaining Order 

Description: 

Does the clutter in your home drive you crazy?

Do you fantasize what clutter free life would be like? 

Learn simple tips and tricks which can help you figure out where to start, how to systematically clear out the excess and create systems to keep the clutter from coming back. 

·    Discover your personal relationship to clutter

·    Systematically sorting through your stuff

·    Your Clutter Contract – a plan you can keep

·    Clutter Clearing Tools

 
 

Stop procrastinating and take charge of your space.  Let’s move forward to a clutter free life. 

 

Group Meeting:  Creating and Maintaining Order

 

1.  Greetings

2.  What's happened for each of us this week (quick check in)

3.  How was the seminar?  Questions?  Insights?

4.  Here is the "checklist" to work on (this item will be available to download Wednesday, Oct. 14, 9 a.m.)

5   Here is the "homework" to guide you through the week in your process (this item also will be available to download Wednesday, Oct. 14, 9 a.m.)

6.  Exercise:  list of things that I accomplished or good things that happened last week:

7.  Exercise:  what I want for next week:

8.  Goodbyes (Buddies plan to check in with each other or get together to work if they prefer.)

 

 

Lighten The Load Group Guide

pg 7 of 9

Seminar 3

Interior Redesign

Transform your Home, Transform your Life
Gwen Williams, Space Transform

 

Title:  Interior Redesign:  You. Your Home. Your Stuff. Transformed!

  

Description:  Interior Redesign transforms your home environment by re-thinking and re-arranging your existing belongings.  This seminar will help you approach your space and stuff with fresh eyes, and give you a step by step process for optimizing it for your home, taste, and lifestyle.  

  

  

·    Interior “Redesign”

·    Steps to Transforming your Home

·    Design and Feng Shui Considerations

  

  

Bio:  Gwen Williams, Space Transform

  

SpaceTransform offers services to make your home (or business) more comfortable, functional, and lovely -- no more feeling frustrated, downtrodden, or just plain bored with the way things are now.

 

Designer Gwen Williams approaches your space with creativity and experience, and with a unique blend of Interior Design, Interior Redesign, and Feng Shui. She offer ideas, solutions, and hands-on transforming of spaces to help create a home you'll love.

 

Learn more at http://www.spacetransform.com.

 

Group Meeting, Interior Redesign

 

1.  Greetings

2.  What's happened for each of us this week (quick check in)

3.  How was the seminar?  Questions?  Insights?

4.  Here is the "checklist" to work on (this item will be available to download Wednesday, Oct. 21, 9 a.m.)

5   Here is the "homework" to guide you through the week in your process (this item also will be available to download Wednesday, Oct. 21, 9 a.m.)

6.  Exercise:  list of things that I accomplished or good things that happened last week:

7.  Exercise:  what I want for next week:

8.  Goodbyes (Buddies plan to check in with each other or get together to work if they prefer.)

 

  

Gwen Williams  ::  SpaceTransform ::  interior redesign & feng shui

Creating Homes 

Lighten The Load Group Guide

pg 8 of 9

Seminar 4

Peace and Vitality

Living Intentionally in Your Home
Piper Lauri Salogga, Natural Balance

 

Title:  Peace and Vitality... Living intentionally in your home

Description: 
Is feng shui just some woo woo thing, or does it really work?  In times like these, connecting to yourself and your inner spirit can make a powerful difference!  Learn how to reflect your Strength, Peace of Mind, Joy, and Passion in your home.

4 simple steps:

·    Learn the bagua basics

·    Bring nature into your space

·    Choose and place artwork and objects to reflect your goals

·    Energize your desires

It's fun!  It's enlivening.  It's the icing on the cake.  Come learn how to reflect your spirit and your desires for life in your home.

 

Group Meeting, Living Intentinally in Your Home:

 

1.  Greetings

2.  What's happened for each of us this week (quick check in)

3.  How was the seminar?  Questions?  Insights?

4.  Here is the "checklist" to work on (this item will be available to download Wednesday, Oct. 28, 9 a.m.)

5   Here is the "homework" to guide you through the week in your process (this item also will be available to download Wednesday, Oct. 28, 9 a.m.)

6.  Exercise:  list of things that I accomplished or good things that happened last week:

7.  Exercise:  what I want for next week:

8.  Goodbyes (Buddies plan to check in with each other or get together to work if they prefer.)

 

 

Lighten The Load Group Guide

pg 9 of 9

Seminar 5

Celebration of Your Space

Honoring your Home with Ongoing Traditions
Christine Wallace, Earth Cathedral

 

Description:
Do the demands on your time leave you with only "moments" of peace & harmony?
Would you like to see those "moments" turn into something you can do for yourself whenever you choose?
Learn simple, effective and efficient tools - from 30 seconds to 5 minutes - that bring a harmonious flow back into your life!

Increase your vitality and stamina
Sharpen your memory
Live more from a place of love and joy
Come celebrate your self and witness that celebration extend to all areas of your life.

Christine Wallace, Shamanic Healer and Teacher
Earth Cathedral
 
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
                                                                     Mary Oliver

 

Group Meeting, Creating Harmony Within:

 

1.  Greetings

2.  What's happened for each of us this week (quick check in)

3.  How was the seminar?  Questions?  Insights?

4.  Here is the "checklist" to work on (this item will be available to download Wednesday, Nov. 4, 9 a.m.)

5   Here is the "homework" to guide you through the week in your process (this item also will be available to download Wednesday, Nov. 4, 9 a.m.)

6.  Exercise:  list of things that I accomplished or good things that happened last week:

7.  Exercise:  What is next for me after this seminar is done?

8.  Goodbyes (Buddies plan to check in with each other or get together to work if they prefer.)

 

 

Wrapping it Up

What's Next for Your Home

Getting Your Lovely Goodies to the Jumble Sale

Resources...books, websites, quotes, and local resources

 

 

Blog Entry #7
October 21, 2009
The Clutter is Winning!
by Edy Kizaki (Light It Up! Group)

Check out the great article in the Shoreline Journal this month, Mom sees budget cuts as chance to build community...Fundraiser helps Lake Forest Park families lighten their load while lighting up their childrens' future.

But I have to admit today was kind of a milling around day... it's been great up till now with a little bit of progress being cause for celebration each day.  I saw Aimee (LFP Elementary Principal) and she was sharing how she has stopped waiting till she has a four hour block of time as she used to do before we started this project.  Since we have the deadline of the Jumble Sale, she feels pressure to get going and get as much out by then as possible, so she has taken whatever small amount of time she has at the moment and fit a bit of clearing into it... just these two shelves, just this little cupboard, just this compartment of the fridge.  That way things keep moving forward and before you know it, progress!

I also remember Sara Eisen in the "Clear Your Clutter" seminar saying... don't even try to keep it organized, while you are clearing.  You are just going to have to allow it to "devolve" before it goes back together in the new, organized, weeded form.  However, I have six crates of various clothes on my master bath floor, taking up most of the room!  For two days I have been using the bathroom in the hall for showers because my bath is full of STUFF in the process of being decluttered.  And yes, I am milling around.  Here is the danger of getting stuck!  Help!!!


Blog Entry #6
October 19, 2009
Seeing Results
by Kris Barrows (Gultch Gatherers Group)
email Kris at barrowsjk@comcast.net

I'm writing to share my thanks for the wealth of information this series is for our class.  I have learned a lot and have had results already.  I put myself to the test and cleaned out all the closets, cupboards and drawers that dinner guests might get into during a party, and when it was time to host the party, I could relax and enjoy myself knowing that whatever I needed would be at hand – and if a guest needed something, I could have them open any door or drawer without worry.  It made the evening so much more enjoyable.  I look forward to the rest of the journey.

Blog Entry #5
October 17, 2009
Sara Energized the Room
by Edy Kizaki (Light It Up! Group)

Last Tuesday we attended the second lecture, Sara's Clear Your Clutter! seminar.  We met in the library this time and that's where the lectures will be for the remainder of the series.  The seminar was very practical and contained a bundle of great tips for actually setting up your space for livibility.  Sara talked about one of the greatest clutter problems we all deal with, that of just putting something down for the moment and then it just sits there indefinitely.  She gave the example of a client's home where there was a car baby seat sitting in the corner by the fireplace.  When she asked the client why it was there, it turned out it had been sitting there for two years!  The client had never really thought about it after setting it down in the corner, although her child was too big for it.  It gained a kind of authority just by having been there for a long time.  I thought that the "Tour Your Home" homework Beth gave us last week would really address this kind of "intrenched" clutter as when you are going around looking "with new eyes" at each room, those things will stand out.

Sara led us in examining what types of clutter we have, and we made a list on the board.  Although each of us might have certain collections of stuff that others don't (like fabric or magazines or class materials) a lot of it seemed universal to everyone, like shoes or papers.  We discussed WHY we collect it!  I started to examine my "relationship" to certain things, like my mother's sewing machine.  Why do I still have it when I don't sew?  I realized she made a special effort to keep it for me since it was a good one, so I feel I should not waste her effort (anyone need a really good sewing machine??).  Well, Sara kept telling us to let go of the "shoulds" as they are not the point.  She advised us that if we have not used it in a year, chances are that it's not serving us in our curent life.  One of the common fears we pinpointed among the participants is that if we give it away or even sell it now, then later we will need it and regret that we got rid of it.  We are told to remind ourselves "If you need it you can ALWAYS get it."  If you are paying for storage space, calculate the cost of that over a 5 year period!  Couldn't you buy everything you're storing several times over for that? 

For those who have begun the decluttering process or are finished with it, there is Gwen's seminar coming up on the 20th.  She will be discussing Interior Redesign, using what you have in new ways to create a warm, inviting space.

Does anyone know of a storage room available that we can use for the items being collected for the Jumble Sale?

Blog Entry #4
October 8, 2009
The First Lecture Was Great!
By Edy Kizaki (Light It Up! Group)

Last Tuesday we had the first lecture of the series, by Beth Shermer.  It was called "Raising the Roof" and Beth talked about how the realization that our homes are living energetic beings changed her whole outlook on possessions, living, keeping, giving up and acquiring "stuff."

At the last minute we were switched to the cafeteria because of another parent group meeting in the library.  But that was fine, we sat in a circle again.  Beth made a six page outline/handout for the class.  It's the one she teaches in all-day form so she just hit the highlights but wanted to get us the complete information.  We are starting to hear reports already of the way the series is affecting people's homes... everyone seems to have been hit by the energy last week, and decluttered something.

A strong theme was about the bedroom.  Since sleep is so important and the way your bedroom is set up can affect your sleep profoundly, Beth emphasized that it was the best place to start our efforts.  When the bedroom is peaceful and serene and you are sleeping well, it becomes easier to work on the rest of it.  People asked about the directions of beds.  It seems that many couples have a disagreement about the best placement for the bed in the bedroom.  One partner might want it against the wall and another one might want it in the middle of the room.  While assuring us that there are no unbreakable rules, Beth said in general the bed should be somewhat above the floor.  It's better not to have anything under it, even carpet can make the space under there easier to attract and catch dust.  The ideal would be airflow being able to go in a circle above, down the side of the bed, under, and up the other side.

Another interesting note was about positive ion and negative ions.  It is not the way it sounds, as the positive ions are the ones that make you grumpy and tired.  The negative ions energize you and make things seem better.  Negative ions can be created by flowing water (that's why the seashore is so energizing) so you could put a fountain.  She recommended no tv or fans in the bedroom as they are too active and lead to less restful sleep.

Some people were asking about when their small children continue to pull everything out again.  Beth has a long teaching background in Montessori schools before going into feng shui so she has a double perspective on this.  She strongly recommended setting up patterns for them to live by.  They should be part of the putting away process.  Even an 18 month old can act out helping Mommy to put the toys away.  They shoudl do this with you so regularly that it becomes a normal part of life and they expect it.

Beth gave us materials and demonstrated a way that we can get a sense of what an object means to us.  We practiced taking a deep breath and closing our eyes and getting a feeling about whether an object is still a postive presence or influence in our life, or whether it is time to let it go.  People gave examples, and some of us thought she would tell us to throw things away, but it seems if it is still important to you, it's appropriate to keep it.  People mentioned things that their loved ones who have passed on gave to them.  Beth says once they have passed away, they truly do not care about material things any more, and it is only our own feeling of guilt that makes us worry about letting go of those objects.  Only keep it if it truly is still a positive influcene in your life.

There was enough for a book, but I'll stop here for now, and blog about the group meeting in a day or two!


Blog Entry #3
Sept. 18, 2009
LIGHT UP THE FUTURE
Aimee Miner
Lake Forest Park Elementary School Principal


 
I am excited to see the enthusiasm about the Lighten the Load & Light Up the Future project that will help each of us who participate de-clutter and organize our homes, allow us to have fun with our neighbors, and to raise money for Brookside and Lake Forest Park schools.  A huge thank you to Edy Kizaki who had the vision to help our schools through this very creative project.  Edy's enthusiasm and tremendous organizational skills are truly inspirational.  I am also grateful to the professional coaches who are volunteering their time to make this event educational and fun for us all.

Our big task now is to find team leaders and to get neighbor teams formed.  We invite you all to the Kick off event on September 29th at LFP at 7:00pm.  At the kick off, you will learn the details of the events and meet the coaches.  Personally, I am excited to learn from organization experts on how to organize the clutter and it will feel great to donate items to the Bazaar in hopes of  raising money for the schools (it'll be like a big 4 hour jumble sale).  Now that the children are back in school, it is a great time to think about de-cluttering and re-organizing before the holidays.  What a fun easy way to make a big difference for our schools.  Let's lighten the load and light up the future!


Blog Entry #2
September 18, 2009
by Edy Kizaki (Light It Up! Group)
"PTA at Work"

Last night I had the pleasure of meeting the PTA presidents and committee heads, as I taked about our project at Lake Forest Park Elementary.  These are people "just like us" who have taken on the jobs that need doing in the school.  They are a warm group of ladies (and one dad who was sent by his wife who had the flu!) and there were many moments of laughter, while our president guided us through the agenda at a fast pace...with all the business on it we had to move pretty quickly.  Our school's new principal, Aimee Miner, was there and it was so interesting to hear all the activities in progress and about to begin.  She invited me to tell everyone about Lighten the Load and Light Up the Future and several people seemed interested!  I will talk to them about it more today.  I have to take the packets to the school today so people who want to be group leaders can pick them up in the office and go out to talk to their neighbors.  I have a feeling most people will already know enough people to form their group... but I hope everyone speaks to someone else too, even if just to invite them to form their own group.  I am gong to just see how many neighbors in my two block radius want to do it, then see how many groups we need to form.  It reminds me of the old days selling girl scout cookies!  Wish me luck, everyone!



Blog Entry #1
September 13, 2009
by Edy Kizaki (Light It Up! Group)
"Why We're Doing It"

As a community we have the power to make a difference in how we view the budget cuts in the schools.  We can withdraw and mourn our loss...a loss that will irreparably affect our kids' education, or we can simply say... no, not on my watch.  Coming together as a community empowers and strengthens us all, gives us the right to say, "I make a difference to my neighbors and my community.  I make a difference in my kids' education.  If it's in my power to do or give, they will know that I did it and contributed to their future."  This gives us the right to stand up and do our part when things need doing, and make the connections with our community that will stand us in good stead for years and years to come.  For LFP Town Center to be part of and support our efforts makes us cheerful and grateful to be a part of something that is truly an expression of the best that is in us, heart of the community, where we come together.  The opportunity is to be part of the commitment to workability for our schools and connection for ourselves and our children, and our chance to do our utmost to support the educators who take a stand to make our children worthy heirs to a bright future... so let's light it up.

 

 

 

JOIN US!  For further information, to make suggestions, volunteer, or offer resources, please call Edy Kizaki at 206-402-9155 or email me at edy@seattlepowersearch.com.  Welcome!  Thanks for connecting and joining our project!!  We can't wait to meet you and get started.