What are your beliefs regarding a gift given to you? Meaning, what would you like to do with your unwanted gifts?

So what does one do when they receive a gift they dislike, or don't need another one of? Do you grin, politely say thank you, and toss it onto pile of other unwanted, unused gifts? You couldn't bear to give it away to someone that could use or love it. You feel guilty if you do.

There's no one here to judge you. What do you feel like doing with all gifts you've gotten and never used?

How can you stop feeling guilty of holding on to piles of gifts that are unwanted by you but that might be treasures to someone else?

1. Stop living with fear that gift giver might inquire about their gift. As Paula Langguth Ryan talks about in her seminar, "Break Debt Cycle for Good,"..."If gift giver asks where their gift is that you have given to another, you might reply something like: So and so admired it so much or was in need that I gave it to her."

2. Choose not to feel guilty, and give up blaming others for your guilt beliefs. Today, choose your own beliefs of what you can do with gifts that are given to you.

3. Take risk today of overcoming your fear of losing relationship with gift giver, and of overcoming guilt of giving gift givers gifts away. If your relationship with gift giver is good and supportive, I believe they will not judge you but rather support you in your choice to share your gifts.

4. Replace your negative feelings, guilt and fear, with positive feelings. It's really okay to let go of things that belong to you that you no longer use or have a need for.

5. Give yourself permission TODAY not to feel guilty and to let go of all your unused and unwanted gifts.

6. Have courage to get rid of gifts that are taking up your precious space.

7. Don't judge yourself or let others judge you for sharing your gifts with others.

8. Remember gift givers aren't responsible for your happiness or your stuff...YOU are!

Tips to help you receive gifts you REALLY want:

>>Start keeping a gift list of every dream, desire, and whim of things you want or need. Don't think of cost, and please don't think you are not deserving.

>>Share your gift list when asked what you want. Don't be shy about this.

>>Be specific, if you want a particular book, list author and name of book.

>>List your sizes, and color preferences.

>>Give gift giver three to four choices with different price ranges.

>>Don't give same list to everyone.

Following above steps will lift burden of gift giver of trying to stand in your shoes, and decide for you what you need or could use. And believe me, gift giver will appreciate a gift list more then a, "I don't need anything." Don't forget to get same information from others when you become gift giver.

The things you have around you should nurture you, and give you positive energy. So, clear off tops of your closets, corners of basement, and attic of all gifts you've stashed away, never used, and give all that stuff away, today, freely, and hang your gift guilt beliefs up forever!

**** For additional help: The Organizing and Feng Shui Wizard, Janet L. Hall, FSII has a FREE newsletter, OverHall IT! at http://www.overhall.com/newsletter.htm and many organizational products for your office, home, and computer at http://www.overhall.com/products.htm Janet is a Professional Organizer, Certified Feng Shui Practitioner, Speaker, and Author and can help you regain control of your life, your time, your stuff, and your environment.

Copyright Ó 2001 by OverHall Consulting P.O. Box 263, Port Republic, MD 20676 All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy, or distribute so long as article is kept intact, this copyright notice and full information about contacting author is attached.

Don't let your tapes eat away at you silently - deal with it today and stop hiding behind your stuff. Allow yourself to go forward with your life and become clutter free.

Dr. Phil told volunteers of The Challenge that they needed some new tapes to start running, and that if they couldn't do it alone to please get some help! He also told them they can't change what happened but they can change what will happen. You choose!

Isn't time to stop feeling or acting victim because of what might have happened to you in your past? As long as you live in past and have an "oh poor me" attitude you will NEVER be able to move forward. You are in CONTROL of your life NOW! You get to decide and take responsibility for your actions. Not people that might have done you an injustice. Not people that couldn't give you what you wanted or needed. Not people that might have given you too much or too little. Not people that have hurt you in some way. If you feel you are lacking something in your life then just visit any shelter, without judgement, and just see what lack really is. What do you have that you can give to others?

Release, unwind, and let go of tapes that tell you you are not worthy, you have to keep every gift, you must hold on to items that are still useful, that you must keep just in case, or that you must buy, buy, buy.

You need to: =>Address your clutter problems to find solutions. =>Stop believing what you've been telling yourself; "one day I'll get organized," or "I'll keep this just in case," or "It's too good to throw away," or "My best friend gave this to me." =>Declare this a new day with new thoughts.

You NEED to get some new tapes in your head!

Today I'll start to get organized. Today I'll start to sort through clutter. Today I will DECIDE for myself what I should keep. Today I'll look at my stuff differently, through my eyes. Today I'm willing to let go of items that no longer serve me, make me unhappy, have bad memories, or are no longer wanted.

Once you start releasing (giving) things that might be causing your pain, anxiety, or sorrow then get ready to start receiving (getting) things you really need, want, or have been dreaming or wishing for.

The Universe is very powerful and will quickly replace things in your life that you've let go of freely with those of your true needs or desires.

Victim of something - probably. Freedom to change and make choices - ABSOLUTELY!

"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself." --Harvey Fierstein

For additional help: The Organizing and Feng Shui Wizard, Janet L. Hall, FSII has a FREE newsletter, OverHall IT! at http://www.overhall.com/newsletter.htm and many organizational products for your office, home, and computer at http://www.overhall.com/products.htm Janet is a Professional Organizer, Certified Feng Shui Practitioner, Speaker, and Author and can help you regain control of your life, your time, your stuff, and your environment.

Copyright (c) 2002 by OverHall Consulting P.O. Box 263, Port Republic, MD 20676 All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy, or distribute this article so long as article is kept intact, this copyright notice, and full information about author is attached.