Cleaning

The sun is shining so brightly this morning, but it's hard to appreciate it fully because my windows are so dirty! I've come to realize that I dread certain aspects of housecleaning. It seems like such a waste of time when there's so many other things I'd rather be doing. I've tried so many times to adopt a zen attitude when it comes to cleaning. You know, the whole be in the moment, become one with the dustrag type thing, but to no avail. People have said to me, "Carrie, your house is always clean", and I suppose when you're on the outside looking in it can appear that way but these windows are just gross.

How is a person supposed to see the beauty that surrounds them through a dirty window? How can you see the wonderful possibilities that life has to offer through a cloudy lens? You really can't, it just impairs the vision too much. I guess that leaves me a few choices -

1.) I can choose to do nothing and continue to look at the world through the accumulated dirt. I can throw up my hands and say, "Why bother? It's too dirty and would take too much work. It's too hard and I just don't have the energy". The problem with this option is that it leaves you feeling defeated and robs you of your enthusiasm (aha!). I'd even go so far as to say that it robs you of your hope for what lies outside your four walls and that will eventually rob you of your joy. Not to mention the headache you get from straining your eyes day in and day out. This option will lead you to just stop looking.

2.) I can open up the window, but that will only clear half of my view. While it's a step in the right direction and things may appear clearer at first, the half that's still dirty will be eventually all you see and if you allow yourself to look closer I'm sure you'll see that the half that appears clear is still obstructed by a screen. This option leaves you feeling that the job is only partially done and wondering why you bothered to begin with. OR...

3.) I can clean the windows! This option definitely requires the most work but it also offers the most fulfilling outcome. Not only does this option offer the clearest view but when you know you've put in the time and effort regardless of how difficult the job, I believe when that sun comes sparkling through it will cause your spirit to sparkle as well. This option can seem extremely overwhelming at first but knowing it can be achieved one window pane at a time makes me believe it's possible.

It's a choice. Life is always a choice but I think I owe myself the opportunity to have the clearest perspective possible. Gotta go...time to become one with the Windex!

xo,
Carrie