Sometimes I feel like my life is spent rushing from one task to another, never really able to complete anything. My life is so often dictated by the next emergency, the next urgent request, the next appointment we're running late for. And I'm tired.
It's been a busy week. And I can't even really do a "Yay, it's Friday" happy dance because there is an even busier week on the horizon.
But part of this lesson we're trying to learn, this life we're trying to live, this radical simplicity we claim to be growing towards is intentionality. It's about doing things on purpose, with purpose. It's about serving with joy instead of running around like a chicken with it's head cut off trying to cross as much as humanly possible off today's to-do list.
As I contemplated this I remembered posts I'd read, like this one and this one. Wash your bowl. I can do that.
So today's task isn't some grand project. I'm not emptying out any cupboards or packing stuff up for the thrift store. I'm not swearing off my dishwasher for good. I'm just washing my bowl. I'm mindfully completing one task before moving on to the next. I'm clearing my sink and my counter because physical clutter is distracting and exhausting, and then I'm moving on to the next task with that same mindfulness, intentionality, and thankfulness for this hectic, busy, beautiful life I've been given!
Have a fabulous weekend. And Happy Friday!
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LOVE this! I can't always get behind every task you've challenged us to do, but I really like this one. Even if I'm not perfectly organized, decluttered or even sane yet, I can be mindful. :) Thanks! I love the posts you'd linked to as well. Thank you
ReplyDeleteI am so not there with that attitude as much as I would like. thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteSuch simple inspiration. Thanks! It's just what I needed today!
ReplyDeleteIt must be the day for this feeling. I just posted a blog entry this morning along the same strain. Craving peace and increasing my mindfulness in hopes of find the peace I crave. If you want to read it, it's here: http://forallilearned.blogspot.com/2012/09/cravings.html
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post! It has really hit home here. Three weeks ago I was diagnosed with a brain tumor and when faced with one of lives many challenges it really makes you sit back and realize what is important. I know longer need or want what everyone else has. It is the simple things in life that are the most important and joyful!!
ReplyDeleteI am not a believer in God, but the older I get the more I believe in connections... At the time you joined the 'no-dryer-month', Kelly, I stopped using the dish washer. I just decided that I didn't need it anymore and I've honestly enjoyed washing the dishes ever since. And I enjoy chatting with my kids while doing it and making them dry the dishes! It's added a new routine to our lifes that I really appreciate. It reminds me of my childhood and my awesome grandmother.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have also stopped using the dryer now and I love it!
FYI-Use the dishwasher once a week otherwise it will break. It happened to a friend of mine.
DeleteI have no dishwasher and it's nice. It makes me keep up with them. While not even close to perfect, my way of doing things is to focus on a certain room each day (outside necessary daily tasks) except Sundays - those are off. And then I clean, do extras, or whatever most bothers me. For instance, Monday is bath day so I make sure to wash down the sink and toilet, refill necessary items and trash. Extras are tub cleaning, dusting the laundry area, reorganizing under the sink (thank you kids). Anyway, I find it clears up my mind clutter and I know where to focus on any given day. And what I don't get done - too busy, sick, kids sick, whatever - I let go until next week (or fit in if it absolutely cannot wait).
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed watching your challenge!
You're right, clutter is exhausting! I just wrote a post about my disgust kitchen from last weekend http://blackwhiteandalittlepink.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-messes-we-make.html and then somehow a deeper meaning came out that God was trying to talk to me about.
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