Going From McMansion to McManageable

Good things come in little packages.

Southern California is known as the birthplace of McMansions like the former Aaron Spelling mansion in Holmby Hills that is 56,000-square-feet. There are a lot of gratuitously huge homes that have been built here. But here in the Southland there’s now a hotbed of companies enveloping innovative technologies to streamline houses. In the past years the average size of homes has fallen 20 percent since its 2007 peak. There’s even a movement of people choosing great locations for small houses instead of size, promoting togetherness, and desiring to leave a lighter footprint on the earth. Some homes are as small as 500 square feet with optional moving partitions. The designs and creativity are phenomenal, it also allows people to interact and be outdoors more. Those who are moving into these pint sized abodes find the process is teaching them how little material things they really need – and are finding that smaller is better.

So from McMansion to McManageable: What do you need to downsize in your life and make manageable? What can you let go of to create a simpler life that works for you?

Here’s more downsizing inspiration. An entire family downsized their life to live on a sailboat. To celebrate their first anniversary Mandi and Scott Leonard sailed a schooner to Catalina Island. They were avid seafarers. At the time Mom worked 80—hours a week and the couple thought – “Wouldn’t it be great to live on a boat?”

The Leonard’s, a five-member family: mother, father and three children, all boys, took fourteen years to make it happen since they were very thorough. First they wanted all their sons to be old enough to swim. Next they took several practice sailing trips to the Bahamas. Mom studied hurricane schedules, compiled medical supplies and learned to use a Taser in case they encountered pirates. Fourteen years later the Leonard’s and their children relocated from a 3,200 square foot home to a 50-Foot Catamaran, and left for a three-year sailing voyage.

Now they are sails up for about 10 percent of their trip and the rest of the time they’re exploring various ports around the world. The boys are sailboat-home schooled, and the boys research and then alternate as tour guides on each of the different stops, walking the family through the sights. This is a family learning the joy of realizing their biggest pipe dream.

For years they wanted to stop fitting their lives to their work and live the life they wanted. “Once we decided to do this,” Mandi Leonard says “we never looked back.”

Create Your Own MISSION STATEMENT: Create a short mission statement for yourself and live your life in integrity with that mission. For example: “My mission is to create joy for myself and others by allowing myself to be powerful.” Or “I am here to lead others through my voice and by example.” After deciding your mission, live your life with that in mind. Base your decisions on it. Ask yourself periodically “Am I living in integrity with my mission?” And as you grow it is appropriate to change your mission statement. When you live your mission here on earth you develop deep respect and love of self.

Metaphysical Downsizing

One day a government worker was digging through his office drawers when
suddenly he came upon a magic lamp. He rubbed the lamp and out popped a
genie.

The genie asked, "What is your first wish?"

"I would like to be rich!" replied the worker.

And poof the man was surrounded by piles of money.

Since the worker knew the whole wish process, the genie didn't even have to
ask
for number two before he said, "My second wish is to be on an island with
beautiful women surrounding me and obeying my every command!" And poof, he was there.

Then the civil servant decided on his third wish, "I don't want to do any work ever again!" and poof he was back in his office.

What do you really want? What can you let go of?

For most of us, simplicity is a learned trait. Address the areas of your life that are feeling out of balance and make rapid corrections instead of thinking there is plenty of time left to "wake up". And remember – you are not alone, team up with people and groups that will support you - we are going to have to help each other through the massive shifts that are happening in all sectors of our world.

We want to aim to become healthy, brave, honest and clear -minded quickly.

Release the stress and fears that have held you stuck in place and are no longer serving you. Resolve stress and fear by taking action.

Let the information IN. The key is to want to do the work and want to look at yourself and want to respond differently.

On a physical or emotional level, we can release the McMansions in our life that are eating up our attention time and focus and go for McManageable instead. We can accelerate new internal programming and behavior patterns that will let you smile at your old self, set goals and reach them. FAST!