This month's SOUL news is packed full, so buckle up for the ride.

And yes, I see the irony in writing More about the Joy of Less, LOL

I often think about the collective Awakening that's happening now.

Awakening from what you might ask?

From the deep slumber we were indoctrinated into from a very young age,

that taught us to seek for love, approval, power and value outside of

ourselves - in things, people, situations, image and status.

There is much to say on this topic, but my

focus here is on our entanglement with 'stuff.'

After the Depression and World War II, folks were relieved to begin

saving and buying again. Ownership of things, a home and car, was a significant way to feel a sense of security, normalcy and power again.

It makes sense that we took pride in buying and owning things

that mattered to us and made our lives more comfortable.

But over time, the insatiable ego crept in - personally for many,

and collectively here in the USA... where MORE became our motto.

Today, the average USA household has over 300,000 items in it.

The USA self-storage industry is currently valued at $43 Billion.

More than one third of US Americans rent a storage unit.

It is disheartening to know how much stuff we buy and hold onto.

One of the grandest illusions is the idea that buying, collecting,

owning and hoarding things, any things, will somehow fulfill us.

There is also a false notion that having the BEST or the MOST

things will somehow put us ahead of the game, or above others.

Billions of dollars are poured into Advertising to keep this lie going.

Capitalism and Consumerism bank on us never questioning this lie.

Pharmaceutical companies profit highly on dis-eases caused by this lie.

Addictions to and comparisons on Social Media feed into this lie.

Marriages and relationships end in costly divorces over this lie.

Religious fanaticism and abuse is rampant because of this lie.

Systemic racism and marginalizing others is rooted in this lie.

Our climate and planet is being destroyed because of this lie.

Buying and owning 'stuff' can fill us full for moments, but it does not bring lasting fulfillment... because the OUTSIDE-IN model is the grand lie.

All through my teens, 20's, and 30's

I bought hook, line and sinker into this big lie,

On an often unconscious level, I believed something outside of me

was the answer, the reason for, cause of, or could lead me to

my happiness, sense of belonging, power and fulfillment.

I went to stores, proud of my buying power, and 'shopped till I dropped'

coming home to gluttonously look at all my shiny new treasures.

Retail Therapy was normalized and a regular hobby of mine.

I was great at finding deals too, adding another

notch to my inauthentic 'power belt.'

Me, my, mine. Mine ALL Mine.

I can buy stuff and that makes me happy.

And when the thrill fades, which it always does...

I can get another hit of dopamine by buying more stuff.

When I moved to Puerto Vallarta in the summer of 2005,

I had to face my excessive shopping and 'stuff' addiction big time.

In hosting three garage sales, I painfully saw how much I used my

buying power to bandaid my wounds, and attempt to find fulfillment.

As I sat immersed in piles of wasted money, I cried in shame and sorrow.

I wish I had known better.

But, I didn't... because that pesky lie is super seductive.

The ego-rush we feel from buying and owning things is strong!

This 3 minute video shows what happens when we let ego run the show:

While the cartoon is dramatic, I see a version of my former self there.

Maybe you can see a part of you in there too.

Thankfully, I eventually Awakened from the grand illusion.

It took getting everything I thought I wanted and still not being happy.

It took going to a level of poverty that didn't allow me to buy any extras.

It took me turning off the TV, magazines, and opinions of others.

It took looking deeper within myself to find where the True Treasure lives.

But the journey was SOOOOO worth it!

Because, when you know, you know.

You can't unsee the Truth.

I still like my stuff and will probably never be a minimalist,

but I no longer look for my value and power in buying or owning things.

Authentic Joy, Power and Fulfillment is an INSIDE-OUT experience.

My favorite thing about being a Home Organizer is helping people get Free!

It's all about creating space and flow. Clearing past regrets and future some-day-maybe debris; Releasing thoughts and things that block our vision and knowing of the Being of Light we are, and the treasure trove of Loving inside.

The decluttering of our stuff is a process.

You have to be ready and willing to let go.

And it's perfectly okay to start small.

Let go of one thing today.

Tomorrow, let go of two more things.

And keep letting go until you have your 'just right' place

that feels good and glorious and spacious and free

from the inside-out and outside-in.

It's all connected.

In this Awakening, we are each being called Home to our True Self.

We are being asked to let go of things that no longer serve us.

Stuff is energy that we have to maintain and manage. Too much stuff

weighs us down, clutters our mind and negatively impacts our health.

Now is the time for Clearing on all levels.

In doing this, we make room for more of what truly matters..

This Present Moment.

The Heartfelt Vision of our Soul.

Our Precious Relationships.

Simple Experiences.

Our Creative Gifts.

Sacred Activism.

Purity & Grace.

Being YOU!

Less is more... Joy :)

If you need support in this area, write me back here

I believe in you!

Teri Jo

One of the advantages of being born in an affluent society is that if one

has any intelligence at all, one will realize that having more and more

won’t solve the problem, and happiness does not lie in possessions, or

even relationships: The answer lies within ourselves. If we can’t find

peace and happiness there, it’s not going to come from the outside. 

~Tenzin Palmo, 1943

TED Talk: Getting Rid of 1,000 things (6 minutes)

Our souls are not hungry for fame, comfort, wealth, or power.

Our souls are hungry for meaning, for the sense that we

have figured out how to live so that our lives matter.

~Harold Kushner, 1935

Remember: you are not what you own. Storing all those books doesn’t

make you any smarter; it just makes your life more cluttered.

~Francine Jay, The Joy of Less

TED Talk: The Joy of Less (9 minutes)

Every area in our life that is full of stuff is crowding out relationships.

As we get rid of the things that consume our time and stress,

we make room for those we love the most.

~Jeff Goins

YOUTUBE: The Story of Stuff (21 minutes)

Once you need less, then you’ll have more.

~Unknown

TED Talk: The Masterpiece of a Simpler Life (11 minutes)

If one’s life is simple, contentment has to come. Simplicity is extremely important for happiness. Having few desires, feeling satisfied with what you have, is very vital: satisfaction with just enough food, clothing,

and shelter to protect yourself from the elements.

~The Dalai Lama, 1935

The ORGANIZED Corner

This is where I share about my Home Organizing business - a tip or trick,

a client story, a win or struggle as a soulo business owner.

TIP: Buy the same type and color Hangers for your closet.

This photo shows one half of my closet. I hang all of my light sweaters

and tops, including T-shirts. On the other side are my dresses and skirts.

Uniformity relaxes our nervous system. Grouping like-items together makes it easier to decide on and find what you're looking for.

Do you need your closet decluttered and re-organized?

If so, email me here and let's set up your free consultation :)

Have nothing in your house that you do not know

to be useful or believe to be beautiful. 

~William Morris

TED Talk: How Many Towels Do You Need? (10 minutes)

Remember, the things with which we choose to surround ourselves tell our story. Let’s hope it’s not 'I choose to live in the past,' or 'I can’t finish the projects I start.' Instead, let’s aim for something like, 'I live lightly and

gracefully, with only the objects I find functional or beautiful.'

Francine Jay, The Joy of Less

Got clutter? Paper piles? An overflowing inbox? Not enough time?

Call me at 310-907-6846 to book your free consultation

terijowheeler.com

I was deeply moved by the recent passing of music legend, Tina Turner (1939-2023). While her music and talents were fabulous, what touches me about Tina is the fact that she left an extremely abusive relationship, eventually talked openly about it to help others get free from similar traumatic situations, and through it all she came to stand in her authentic power and give her best! The inner peace, joy, love and freedom Tina found after leaving the world of public performance and celebrity fame is also very inspiring.

Turner: I used to be baffled about why I had to endure so much abuse, because I hadn’t done anything to deserve it. After I began practicing Buddhism, I realized that my hardships could give me a mission—a purpose. I saw that by overcoming my obstacles, I could build indestructible happiness and inspire others to do the same. Then I could see everything that came my way, both the highs and the lows, as an opportunity for self-improvement and for sparking hope in others.

Is happiness a good or realistic goal for all of us?

Turner: Yes, absolutely. Regardless of cultural or religious background, personal beliefs, or any other factor, each one of us can open the path to our personal version of a peaceful and happy life. The advice I share in 'Happiness Becomes You' (her book) is meant to help all people tap into their own wellspring of joy. I’m confident everyone can because I did it myself, even after facing seemingly impossible circumstances time and again. I’m not superhuman. I’m just a lady from Nutbush, Tennessee. If I can do it, we all can.

* * * * * * *

In 2020, Turner said that that despite having serious health problems, the last 10 years of her life had embodied her ideal vision of happiness.

”I found happiness because I desire nothing. It's a happiness I never knew existed. In the past, happiness was, 'Oh I bought a dress!' 'Oh have this car!' It was all material things. Now I get up in the morning and meditate. Inside, a feeling of wellness where you're sitting there, just where you want to be. There's nothing you want. People think when you're on stage, that they are your glory days. The lights, the clothes... They were not my glory days. These, now, are my glory days. True and lasting happiness comes from an unshakeable spirit that can shine, no matter what.”

Rest in Power Queen Tina Turner, aka Anna Mae Bullock

You take your problems to a God, but what you really need is

for the God to take you to the inside of you.

~Tina Turner

YOUTUBE: Top 10 Iconic Moments with Tina (14 minutes)

Sometimes you’ve got to let everything go – purge yourself. If you are unhappy with anything… whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you’ll

find that when you’re free, your true creativity, your true self comes out.

~Tina Turner 

Series Rec (Hulu): The Last Man on Earth

It is not the strongest of the species that survives,

not the most intelligent that survives.

It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.

~Charles Darwin

Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars

above the earth and all temporary nature.

~Thomas a Kempis, 1380

A SONG 4 U: 'Simply The Best' by Tina Turner

If you want to fly, give up everything that weighs you down.

~Buddha