(Grammar note. Disposition is, technically speaking, according to every reliable source I checked, a noun. Only a noun. I’m using it as a verb. That is all.)
On Tuesday, frustrated because I couldn’t find an article I knew I’d saved, I spent the morning (and, to be honest, a large part of the afternoon as well) going though all my bookmarks and all the links contained therein. I deleted countless old links, kept what is relevant to me now and organized it in a meaningful way.
On a roll, I went through my email inbox – my ENTIRE inbox – and dealt with everything. (So if you are waiting for a reply, you better resend. I am under the delusion that I’ve answered you.) Still fired up, I went through all the links I’d saved on Twitter and dispositioned them. (I love that word. Dispositioned. I can’t believe it only exists in the minds of the people who work at the company where I learned it. I took it with me when I left. Dispositioned. It makes me sound like an organization goddess.)
I can’t tell you how good I felt when all of that was done. And, like right after you clean your house, I’m feeling very protective of my virtual space – folding everything neatly, putting it away. No unsightly piles lying around. It’s been a whole day, and still I’m golden. My sense of accomplishment is outrageous. Totally disproportionate to the significance of the task… and yet…
I have this feeling you will read this and feel envy. You’ll think, I can’t remember the last time I saw the floor of my inbox. It’s always covered in unopened messages and old smelly links. (Not sure this laundry metaphor is quite working, but I’m hoping you’re still with me.) I have a feeling that my straw-that-broke-the-camel’s-back sense of urgency, and the subsequent frenzied cleanup is something we’ve all experienced.
And maybe I’m looking for a little solidarity. A virtual pat on the back. Wait a second. Let me turn around.
(Oh! And the article I was looking for? Here it is: 10 Easy Ways to Get Inspired. Read it. It’s great. And also, I worked hard to get it for you.)
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And now for something completely different… Jarbas Angelli, a Brazilian musician, saw a picture in the newspaper of birds sitting on telephone wires. He thought the birds looked like musical notes on a staff and he composed the song that the birds created. Fun!
Wild
So, I’ll start from the bottom and work my way to the top…
I tend to watch PBS because, well, I guess I still love Sesame Street and the Electric Company (which I was just watching last night… I know, I’m saying too much)
Anyway, one of the “commercials” they have is of a pianist, who, short on inspiration, looks out the window, to see birds congregating on the wires. As you have stated, they looked like they were showing various notes, causing the pianist to compose a masterpiece… the ending is “Be More…Inspired”.
I thought that was just clever marketing, but it just goes to show that nature tends to be the best creative vehicle around… most of the time we discover, as opposed to creating. All that to say, thank you for digging through all of this, for yielding to the task of plowing through the piles to find this one thing… I’m inspired just knowing it’s true
So, as to the task… I am also inspired, since my work inbox is over 1000, my CC box (because I have too many emails, I have to separate those that I am CC’d on… crazy) also has over 1000, and my personal email box has… you guessed it…. over 1000… I am now inspired – am I ever going to get to those advertisements, to the South African lottery messages from the chief secretary to the one person who has no living descendants, and wishes to give me umpteen billion dollars if I only give up my name, address, checking account information and social security number? Hmmm, I highly doubt it….
So, my organizational goddess, wear your cape proudly, and receive the virtual pat on the back from the Pajama man, only because my arms are not long enough to reach from where I am to where you are… Maybe I’ll store up the pat until I see you next time (that is inspiration in itself) :-)
I’m diggin’ that Pajama Man big time ;-) Yes, I am very, very envious of your accomplishment — it’s my dream of all dreams to deal with the paper in my life and get it all organized. Oh, yeah, the e-mail too! It feels like paper even though it’s just in my computer. Weird. I would honestly rather have my house, files, garage, etc., organized than a brand new Jaguar or a European vacation. I cannot pay someone to do this or even cave in to my Father’s continuous offers to help me with various tasks . . . because of my shame. I’m of German descent partly and I’m Supposed to be neat and orderly like my Father. That’s what I’ve convinced myself of anyway. I’ve had years where I was, long ago. I’m anxious to click on that link you sent — I need it!!! I send you my admiration and gratitude for Being an Inspiration yourself!
Effort. Effort goes a loooong way in my world. I always think that it takes just a little to make a huge difference in the lives of those around you. The effort you put forth to find one article you thought might be of use to someone was, I am sure, incredibly appreciated by those that needed a boost.
I am just worried how overly taxing clicking the “check all” button followed by clicking the “delete” button must have been to your body. I am shocked you didn’t disposition your index finger from the repetitive task. My heavens, to think that you might have dispositioned your back from tossing all those heavy e-mails into the recycle bin has me nervous at the thought! And, heaven forbid, you might have dispositioned your coffee mug and spilled a few drops as you tried to correct how your laptop was dispositioned near the edge of the table in front of you. Well, needless to say, I get chills from the sheer thought of it all — look at those goose bumps on my arm!
By the way, LOVED the laundry metaphor! You used one of my favorite chores to pull me right into the story!!
(if that’s not a “virtual pat on the back” I don’t know what is?!?!)
TPJ, 1) Electric Company is still on? Yay! 2) Maybe that’s why the bird thing is so cool. Discovery and then creation. 3) Holy cow! I have to admit that I had nowhere near 1000 messages in my inbox. You’re the big man on campus. 4) I will hold you to the promised pat. ;-)
Carey, I say toss the paper and take a European vacation, baby! Maybe use that delete key Bobby’s talking about. (Oh, and I dig TPJ, too.)
Bobby, Your comment reminded me of my friend who says he likes when a woman’s dark roots show because it’s proof of her effort. And, yes! And your incorrect use of my incorrect use of the word disposition was dazzling!
I’m glad you troll the internet so I don’t have to.
I loved the video of birds on a wire made into music. I sent it on to loved ones to brighten their day too.
You always brighten my day, little miss organized.
Yay! J! I’m picturing a red haired tasmanian devil whirling through the piles of [virtual] clutter.
[only, you know, you're much much cuter]
Hugs!
Karen :0)
I just bookmarked the link you were searching for, thank you, I really liked it :)
As for your accomplishment: taps on the back for you, you deserve it!
I totally get where you’re coming from with all this.
I also like my virtual space to neat and tidy, and when I go near my fiancé’s PC and see his desktop I immediately start deleting/moving things to specific folders.
Same with my e-mails too, I have different folders for almost everything.
Lovely post, and your laundry metaphor was very good too!
Good for you getting organized. I clean out my work truck once or twice per year, whether it needs it or not. I don’t know how much time I wasted over the last year digging around looking for stuff, or finally giving up and buying another one only to find the original months later under a pile.
So, kudos to you. Now the trick…keeping it organized. Good luck to you on that. I’m clearly lousy at it.
cmw
Huge pat on the back! The closest I’ve ever come to having a clean inbox is when I dump all the emails in it into a new folder that I label something like “Stuff in inbox [date]“, on the theory that if I don’t find myself looking for it over the next year, I don’t really need it (I hear it works for decluttering, too).
Off to go look at the inspiration link. Loved the bird song!
Karen, You go girl, spread the music!
Estrella, Your comment made me laugh. How does your fiance take it when you start tidying up his virtual digs?
CMW… For the past two days I have been mostly without wifi. Makes it easier to keep it all clean. The true test of my goddess tendencies is still to come. Cross you fingers!
Belle, I do that too, actually. With real paper. I have a “Not sure about this” folder. Stuff goes in and is never seen again.
No joke, part of the deal when John and I got married was that I get my own computer. His organization is different than mine. He uses the auto “whatever” on the computer and I “lump” mine. Stuff I use a lot in the lower left, stuff I NEVER use in the upper right, stuff I am GOING to use in the lower right, utilities and “stuff” in the upper left . . .whatever. He would come in and “auto” move it. And I would come in and click in a folder . . . not looking because I know where things are and I would end up in something else and not happy. He is NOT allowed to re-arrange anything on my computer! And so yes, therefore it is a mess. But it is my mess!
Whenever I try to clean it up I get so distracted . . . I don’t get far and in the time I am cleaning I get more stuff to deal with. A never ending circle. :-)
No pats on the back, Missy. Turn around so I can give you a virtual hug and a high five. You’re my hero . . . yeah, did I see somewhere you were looking for your cape?
I am jealous. Honest. I haven’t seen the bottom of my in box since my computer was new!
Jarbas Angelli piece was amazing – thanks for that. What a musical eye.
Terre, Yeah, I’m with you on the whole “my mess” thing. I definitely don’t want anyone messing with my mess. (My cape is here somewhere.)
Lake, I loved the Jarbas Angelli piece too. Mostly for the creative mind that thought to do it.
I was clearly tongue in cheek with my earlier post, but what is truly dazzling to me is that my comment was posted at 10:08 and you posted your reply to me, and two others, at 10:09 ——— I may have been kidding about your e-mail organization but your instant reply method is pure wizardry!!!!
Bobby, That’s the real reason I write a blog. Here, I am all-powerful.
Wizards have capes AND pointy hats! And I’ve often seen them sparkle!
Judy
He doesn’t really like it, that’s why I work fast and preferably if he’s not around :P