I awoke with this older post on my mind this morning. Here is one of those amazing, life-altering ideas which changed everything for me once it became a part of who I am.
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The book, It's Incredible, told this story: Ann Kiemel went to interview a 72-year-old woman, an artist, and found her landscaping in her backyard. Lifting big rocks, to be exact. The woman told her that she loved to garden and when Ann asked her what was her favorite thing in Life, the woman replied, "Manure. Because everything grows so well in it."
And then Ann asked the woman what kinds of things she disliked, as in chores such as washing dishes or vacuuming or making beds.
The elderly woman frowned. "Dislike? Whatever there is to be done--I like it!"
Oh my. As a young mother in my 20's I read that and wham! That one sentence changed me. Back then, I disliked half my chores, most of my errands and all of my appointments.
But after that sentence, I wanted to be like that artist--not just when I reached my 70's, either--but starting right away.
Be careful what you desire.
In the 20 years since, that desire has taken me on one mighty long adventure of having to let God change my attitude about housework, errands and just about everything else. I've had to let go of dreading things and complaining, both which yank me backward. I've had to pull every speck of Good from simple things while also seeking to enjoy this long journey called Loving Every Day.
But it's been worth it.
They say 90% of our lives is made up of Everyday Stuff, so if we're hating our ordinary days? Well, we're hating 90% of our life(!) Oh my.
The other 10%, are the parties, vacations and days at the beach type of activities and you know? Almost I'm reaching the point--after 20 long years--where I, too, can say, "Whatever there is to to be done-- I like it!"
I'm almost to the point where I enjoy 100% of my life. I'm aiming for that still, anyway, and inching closer--
--and discovering that, for me, there's no better, richer way to live.
******
"So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work..." ... Ecclesiastes 3:22
Oh..I love this!
ReplyDeleteAttitude of the heart is everything, isnt it?!!
That's really interesting. I recently read "The Well and the Mine" by Gin Phillips. The attitude of the mother in this novel was very similar to what you're describing. I felt incredibly motivated to become more like her while I was reading it, but then. . .I just really don't like doing dishes. :-) I'll keep working on that.
ReplyDeleteThat is profound, Debra! I'm going to do my best to adopt that attitude as well. I was just griping to my husband yesterday about how much I HATE emptying the dishwasher. Today, I'm going to try to be grateful I HAVE a dishwasher! My goodness! What a difference it makes just to change the way you look at something! Thank you for having such a way with words that you make these things so clear. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteWonderful attitude, I love this one. Joyce
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I do need an attitude adjustment when it comes to housework lately...
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