Being Zen and Doing the Dishes....

Tuesday, June 8, 2010....


Several months ago, I picked up my Body & Soul magazine to learn they had an article that could change my life. It was about cleaning and how I could learn to LOVE it!

I was all over this article because I HATE TO CLEAN. I really hate to empty the dishwasher and load the dang thing. I thought if someone could change my mindset or give me a quick solution to something I loathe I was in.

Well, the article (paraphrasing) was about a woman discussing her discontent with a nun about cleaning. The nun explained patience and told her to change her viewpoint -- not to thinking of cleaning as a daily chore. Not to rush through it, but think of it as a ritual.

Ummm...sure, okay, I'll try it. I'll be one with the task. I'll try to find the greater meaning and enjoy emptying the dishwasher and loading it back up with dirty dishes (I should explain, I have the world's smallest dishwasher. Seriously, I do. Someone mistakenly thought it to be a garbage disposal).

I keep an open mind (I meditate daily). I focus on loving what I'm doing and taking pleasure in the act of doing it. I unload, load and repeat this same practice for several days.

Ya know what?

It did nothing. I still hate emptying and loading the dishwasher and have come to terms it is just a task in my day and try my damndest to do it AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

What? Did you think I'd say it worked? Sorry. Nope.