Book excerpt: "A perfect guide to getting the non-essentials out of the way, so that simple joys can make their way into our lives." -- Marianne Williamson, author of A Return to Love "If you want to grow, you gotta let go," is the mantra that bestselling author, columnist, and life coach Gail Blanke lives by. That means eliminating all the clutter - physical and emotional - that holds you back, weighs you down, or just makes you feel bad about yourself. In Throw Out Fifty Things she takes us through each room of the house - from the attic to the garage - and even to the far reaches of our minds. Through poignant and humorous stories, she inspires us to get rid of the "life plaque" we've allowed to build-up there. That junk drawer (you know that drawer) in the kitchen? Empty it! Those old regrets? Throw 'em out! That make-up from your "old" look? Toss it! That relationship that depresses you? Dump it! Once you've hit fifty (you'll be surprised how easy it is to get there) and once you've thrown out that too-tight belt and too-small view of yourself, you'll be ready to step out into the clearing and into the next, and greatest, segment of your life.