1. It's just stuff. Carl discovered that spending emotional and physical energy on caring for his house and possessions had diminished his ability to enjoy friends, pets, and life in general. Plus, this blinded his ability to see that his life was rich, regardless of the items he possessed. How much energy do your possessions steal from you? Do you need to rebalance your view?

2. Who you are is more important than the stuff you own. In the movie, adventurer Charles Muntz shifted from being an admired explorer to stopping at nothing to redeem his tarnished reputation. Do you use material items to buy admiration or attention? If so, does that help you become the person you were meant to be?

3. Letting go of possessions can be liberating. As the helium in the balloons diminished, Carl jettisoned the possessions he previously held dear, so his house could fly again. As Carl let go of his past, he was able to live fully in the present and look forward to his destination. Do the "things" in your life prevent you from living fully in the present and looking forward to the future?

4. Take time to enjoy simple moments. As Carl chased what he thought was his wife's dream, he discovered what she really treasured - the simple things in life, like holding hands. Are you waiting for life to "happen" instead of taking time to appreciate small, everyday moments that make each day special?

5. Make everyday moments special for your children. Russell, a young boy in the movie, comments about his home life and says "the boring stuff is the stuff I like the most," such as getting ice cream with his dad. Do you try to create magical moments for your kids by showering them with lavish trips and gifts while forgetting that their most vivid, enjoyable memories may be as simple as spending time with you playing catch or reading a story?

Teacher Lightens Her Load and Moves Up in Life!

The Situation: A middle school teacher, Kathleen, was overwhelmed by the volume of things she had accumulated in her home and classroom. When she thought about retiring, she knew that meant cleaning out her classroom and facing the piles at home. It almost seemed easier to keep working!

The Solution: We started by attacking the stuff in Kathleen's home, because the shear volume of her belongings made spending time at home unpleasant. We worked room by room, identifying and eliminating everything she didn't use or enjoy. We filled over 100 bags and boxes with clothing, household items, books, and more. (We donated useful items.) Next, we worked in her classroom and pared down the contents of numerous file cabinets overflowing with old worksheets, lesson plans, student projects, etc. We organized useful documents to make the transition easier for the new teacher once Kathleen retired.

The Outcome:Kathleen retired that year! She now enjoys traveling with her husband and helped her daughter plan her wedding. "I can't believe how much my stuff held me back," she said. "I used to fill my free time by accumulating things I didn't need rather than enjoying my home and my family. From Piles to Smiles gave me the courage to face my stuff and what it represented. I now feel liberated, calmer, and in control of my life."