When Deleting is Refreshing
Posted By Tammie on May 5, 2010
I did something I normally wouldn’t do; something that required courage and strength and took me right out of my comfort zone. Do you ever have moments like that? Do you ever have moments where you just suck in your breath and hold it and when you finally exhale and succumb to the urge, you feel the freedom that comes with it? Well today, I felt that freedom, that wonderful, joyful, peaceful freedom that comes when you finally say “enough is enough”.
So what did I do that was so freeing you ask? As insignificant as it may seem to some, I emptied all of my email boxes…without pouring over 601 unread email that have been accumulating during this past semester, while I concentrated on studies, papers and tests. Yup, I hit that delete key without even reading what was there. 
Now many wouldn’t think that such a great accomplishment. That’s okay. But my email is my social network of authors, publishers and leads for my writing submissions and it is my heart’s desire to become successful in that. However, when I began to think of the heavy load I carried just thinking of the unanswered, unopened, ignored email that sat in my inboxes (yes, plural), and the time it would take me to sort through it all, it hindered my advancement. I finally knew it was time to start fresh. It is exhilarating to say the least!
Each day is new with the Lord too. I rejoice in that. He brings us new life, new vision, and renews us, if we will only push the delete button and release the burdens we carry. God is amazing and I reflect today on the love, mercy and grace He has extended to me. May I never forget the price He paid and may I always be ready to share that with others.
Blessings, Tammie
About the author
Hope none of mine were in any of those folders. *wink* Only kidding, I know exactly what you are saying. We do get bogged down with these things. I have hundreds of email folders holding thousands of emails. Good for you!
Yours, dear friend, come to a special folder.
Tammie,
You are brave! I don’t know that I could do that. We just got back from being away last week and I also had over 600 emails that I needed to go through. But I went through them and replied or deleted where appropriate. That was a job!
I love your connection between deleting your email and releasing our burdens to the Lord.
Great post!
So, what would you say to over 5,000 unread emails? I pour over the ones I must open quickly, deal with and read daily. The others sit there. The good news is that when someone calls and says, “I sent you an email” I can do a quick search and say, “Oh yes! Here it is! ”
I think your point is well taken. If it is a burden and keeping us from our true mission and calling hitting the delete button can be very freeing. Great post.
Ah, Felice, good point. Just starting in this business, most of my emails are things that I am gaining knowledge from, using as learning tools. While they are all worthwhile, I cannot get caught up in the “I have to” syndrome. My client contacts, good, solid, can’t-miss-the-message, contacts go to an addy that I wouldn’t dare just delete. without reading. Blessings to you my friend and thanks for your response.
Great post. This is something I have experienced in my inbox and in my business as well.