Housework

Growing up, Mom always had a cleaning lady, and I have always had one too. I have looked at cleaning as a real nuisance, a necessary evil. So when I found myself having to clean for myself since mid March, I at first totally resisted it and didn’t do it, then grudgingly, when it became necessary, started in. I found I didn’t mind it as much as I thought I would, especially as I had a spouse who was willing to share the duties with me, 50/50.

I have been reading Sarah Ban Breathnach’s updated and revised edition of Simple Abundance this year. In May she is writing about the home. I love what she has to say in the May 17th meditation about doing housework:

“Drudgery can be transformed, through a willing and open heart, into labors of love. I’ve mentioned it before, but it takes a little time for us to understand the profound power we have over any situation by the words we use to describe it. Start with the words that describe, or name, your efforts. The biggest catalyst for change at home was when I started calling “chores” my “tasks.” Instead of calling your daily round “housework” why not call it “caring for my home.”….. After all, caring-for yourself, your loved ones, your pets, and your home—-is truly what you are doing when you dust, change the kitty litter, sort the laundry, prepare the meals, and work in the garden.”

I read this meditation a few days ago, and shared it with my partner. Neither of us enjoy cleaning, but we were both willing to try looking at cleaning as “caring for our home.” Dusting is on my list of tasks, and I found a little quote which has changed the way I look it:

“Time to dust again.

Time to caress my house,

to stroke all its surfaces.

I want to think of it as a kind of lovemaking…

the chance to appreciate by touch

what I live with and cherish.

Gunnilla Norris

Yesterday, I tried dusting with this quote in mind, and I found it really did change the experience for me. I was dusting our dining room suite which belonged to my beloved Nana. I started remembering dinners at her house when I was growing up, and as I dusted the chair at the head of the table I remembered my grandfather, and how I got to sit at his left hand. The dining room suite is beautiful, and it could use some polishing with lemon oil. I actually think I will do that this week. Wow! Who knew dusting could be such an enjoyable experience, when viewed with a different perspective?

Thank you Sarah, and thank you Gunnilla for introducing me to a new way to approach caring for my home. May it be helpful for you too!