qclabrat
Well-Known Member
2016 was a forgettable year for me for a variety of reasons. For the first time I'm seeing my career path slow down significantly. 40 something is suppose to be your professional peak, if it is I'm experiencing a dramatic fall on the other side. Health, despite keeping a similar exercise routine as my previous years, I've gained 10 pounds and been nursing chronic neck/back, joint and tendon injuries all year. Also having my younger turn into a teen has certainly contributed to my gray hair which is receding faster than lowtide.
Many of the schools are now readopting the concept of the "whole child" philosophy where the curriculum not only focuses on the academic and physical aspects of the student, but also the emotional intelligence. I think as adults we should also practice these Taoist-like principles and lessen the emotional stresses and barriers.
Chinese New Year is Jan 28th, traditionally now is a time we do a thorough cleaning around the home. This year I'm going through each room and throwing out/donating stuff I won't need. Being a pack-rat, it's not an easy task. But what I've done so far hasn't been too painful and makes my wife smile each time I fill a garbage bag. I never thought I'd find a sliver of happiness in getting rid of my clutter, perhaps this is the right direction is finding my Chi this year. For those interested, I listed my tasks to prep for the New Year below. Most are common sense and you don't have to be Chinese or Taoist to follow.
General Cleaning
□ Wash floors and walls or vacuum
□ Wipe cobwebs from ceilings and corners
□ Wash windows and frames
□ Wipe down any cabinets or furniture
□ Wipe down doors with cloth
□ Open windows to air room out
□ Check smoke alarms/carbon monoxide alarm
□ Check alarm system
□ Check light bulbs and replace if needed
Kitchen
□ Clean out fridge
□ Clean out oven
□ Organize cabinets, drawers and throw out old food
□ Clean out microwave
□ Bleach drains and sink
□ Move out dishwasher, fridge and washing machine and clean behind
□ Deep clean washing machine and dishwasher on empty cycle
□ Throw away any broken kitchen items
□ Replace water filters (fridge, Brita, coffeemaker)
□ Clean filters in vents
□ Place fresh fruit in bowl, especially oranges to attract wealth
Bathrooms
□ Deep clean bath, sink, bidet, toilet
□ Bleach drains and toilet
□ Wash walls and behind units
Dining room
□ Throw away any clutter
□ Organize drawers
□ Vacuum or wash curtains and blinds
□ Clean all furniture
Living Room
□ Throw away any clutter
□ Organize drawers
□ Vacuum or wash curtains and blinds
□ Clean all furniture
□ Wash or wipe sofa down
□ Steam clean carpets
□ Clean television/AV equipment
□ Clean the fireplace
Bedrooms
□ Organize drawers
□ Throw away any clutter or old clothes
□ Vacuum or wash curtains and blinds
□ Flip or rotate mattress
□ Wash sheets
□ Steam clean carpets
□ Vacuum and dust under furniture and bed
Basement
□ Remove all clutter and throw away
□ Check for holes or gaps in foundation/sub
□ Check water tank
□ Check HVAC/change filters
Garage
□ Wash down garage door
□ Sweep floor
□ Wipe walls and ceiling down
□ Clear any clutter and throw away rubbish
□ Touch up any paint
□ Open garage door to air out
Cars
□ Wash cars or take to car wash
□ Check tire pressures and tread
□ Check oil level
□ Clean inside of car
□ Check coolant level
□ Replace air freshener
□ Clear air filter
□ Top up with gas
□ Fill washer fluid tank
Garden and driveway
□ Keep grass area clear of leaves and branches
□ Tidy area around trees and hedges
□ Wash down patio or decking and if necessary fix up damaged areas
□ Remove all weeds and dead growth from garden including broken furniture and pots
□ Wash all outside windows in the home both top and bottom
□ Touch up with paint on places possibly damaged by winter moisture
□ Clear drains and gutters
□ Wash out recycling bins
□ Clear out shed or poolhouse
□ Clean swimming pool/sauna/hot tub
□ Clean flower pots
□ Check security lighting and replace bulbs if necessary
□ Water plants if necessary
□ Organize your tools and power equipment
□ Clean out barbecue/fire pit/smoker
□ Clean doormats
□ Clear driveway and entrance to home to attract Chi
Many of the schools are now readopting the concept of the "whole child" philosophy where the curriculum not only focuses on the academic and physical aspects of the student, but also the emotional intelligence. I think as adults we should also practice these Taoist-like principles and lessen the emotional stresses and barriers.
Chinese New Year is Jan 28th, traditionally now is a time we do a thorough cleaning around the home. This year I'm going through each room and throwing out/donating stuff I won't need. Being a pack-rat, it's not an easy task. But what I've done so far hasn't been too painful and makes my wife smile each time I fill a garbage bag. I never thought I'd find a sliver of happiness in getting rid of my clutter, perhaps this is the right direction is finding my Chi this year. For those interested, I listed my tasks to prep for the New Year below. Most are common sense and you don't have to be Chinese or Taoist to follow.
General Cleaning
□ Wash floors and walls or vacuum
□ Wipe cobwebs from ceilings and corners
□ Wash windows and frames
□ Wipe down any cabinets or furniture
□ Wipe down doors with cloth
□ Open windows to air room out
□ Check smoke alarms/carbon monoxide alarm
□ Check alarm system
□ Check light bulbs and replace if needed
Kitchen
□ Clean out fridge
□ Clean out oven
□ Organize cabinets, drawers and throw out old food
□ Clean out microwave
□ Bleach drains and sink
□ Move out dishwasher, fridge and washing machine and clean behind
□ Deep clean washing machine and dishwasher on empty cycle
□ Throw away any broken kitchen items
□ Replace water filters (fridge, Brita, coffeemaker)
□ Clean filters in vents
□ Place fresh fruit in bowl, especially oranges to attract wealth
Bathrooms
□ Deep clean bath, sink, bidet, toilet
□ Bleach drains and toilet
□ Wash walls and behind units
Dining room
□ Throw away any clutter
□ Organize drawers
□ Vacuum or wash curtains and blinds
□ Clean all furniture
Living Room
□ Throw away any clutter
□ Organize drawers
□ Vacuum or wash curtains and blinds
□ Clean all furniture
□ Wash or wipe sofa down
□ Steam clean carpets
□ Clean television/AV equipment
□ Clean the fireplace
Bedrooms
□ Organize drawers
□ Throw away any clutter or old clothes
□ Vacuum or wash curtains and blinds
□ Flip or rotate mattress
□ Wash sheets
□ Steam clean carpets
□ Vacuum and dust under furniture and bed
Basement
□ Remove all clutter and throw away
□ Check for holes or gaps in foundation/sub
□ Check water tank
□ Check HVAC/change filters
Garage
□ Wash down garage door
□ Sweep floor
□ Wipe walls and ceiling down
□ Clear any clutter and throw away rubbish
□ Touch up any paint
□ Open garage door to air out
Cars
□ Wash cars or take to car wash
□ Check tire pressures and tread
□ Check oil level
□ Clean inside of car
□ Check coolant level
□ Replace air freshener
□ Clear air filter
□ Top up with gas
□ Fill washer fluid tank
Garden and driveway
□ Keep grass area clear of leaves and branches
□ Tidy area around trees and hedges
□ Wash down patio or decking and if necessary fix up damaged areas
□ Remove all weeds and dead growth from garden including broken furniture and pots
□ Wash all outside windows in the home both top and bottom
□ Touch up with paint on places possibly damaged by winter moisture
□ Clear drains and gutters
□ Wash out recycling bins
□ Clear out shed or poolhouse
□ Clean swimming pool/sauna/hot tub
□ Clean flower pots
□ Check security lighting and replace bulbs if necessary
□ Water plants if necessary
□ Organize your tools and power equipment
□ Clean out barbecue/fire pit/smoker
□ Clean doormats
□ Clear driveway and entrance to home to attract Chi
