I moved our portable CD player into the kitchen today, and put on a CD of upbeat LDS music as I cleaned the dishes. I found myself dancing around the kitchen. I twirled with my tupperware, cha-cha’d with my cutlery and…well, I can’t think of any more alliterative statements so I’ll have to stop there.
Even more remarkable than me putting aside my poor body image long enough to pull off this feat, is that I felt so happy and jubilant as I did it. I was getting my dishes done. Immediately after dinner. Before various food particles cemented themselves to our dishes. This made me feel good.
Now this isn’t news to me. Please don’t think it’s taken me twenty-eight years to figure out that the feeling of accomplishment makes me happy. I have this realization often. Sometimes several times a week. This doesn’t stop me from slacking off and procrastinating until it becomes absolutely necessary to do certain things. Like fold the mountain of laundry that is slowly eating up all available space in our bedroom. Some things I seem to forget as often as I remember. I have one of those lovely “Ah ha!” moments and feel inspired and motivated to be a better me…and I’m sure that from now on, things will be different!
Ten minutes later, I’m sitting in bed munching on chocolate chips and reading Harry Potter for the thirty-seventh time.
Maybe I should make a big sign and stick it on my bedroom door so I see it every morning as I start my day. Or have the Primary Song “When We’re Helping We’re Happy” play on our CD alarm clock.
I’ve just remembered that while I did do the dishes, I forgot to wipe the table. Since Emma used her mashed potatoes as finger paints tonight I’d better hurry before it cements to the table. Adieu for now.
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7 Comments
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all be like Anne of Green Gables and not “make the same mistake twice”? Or learn our lessons perfectly the first time? *sighs* Of course, that would likely change the average lifespan of humans perceptibly . . . if we learn what Father wants us to learn perfectly, right away!
Cheers to you for figuring it out (again) yesterday! :)
LOL, you sound exactly like me! Right down to the food cemented to the table by a toddler (I really need to wash down Jason’s spot at the table). Like you, I always feel so great when I accomplish something and my house is all clean, and then the next day I’m back to letting it slide lol.
I feel much the same way. SAturday was a great day filled with much accomplished and it felt so good. I found myself wondering why I can’t do that everyday!
Dancing while working counts double for exercise in my book! Think of all the calories you burned. :D
I, too, can identify with your post! I spent all of Friday cleaning up (it has been put off WAY too long) and it felt so great. Now here I sit at the computer, unable to make myself wipe the counters off.
Okay, okay — I’m getting up!
Oh, totally, I wish that I could just learn something the first time. I get that fun little “this is satisfying” feeling when I’m doing various household chores too, but let things go till I can’t stand them anymore…
It’s hard to learn to be consistent.
I was just talking to my husband about this yesterday. Why do we refuse to do what we know will make us happy?
I had a happy day today and I’m glad you had one too!
You say things beautifully.
I need a big sign like this too. But I’d have to stick it to my forehead or I’d forget to look at it.