Yes, you read that title right. Last night I achieved a sort of zen while washing dishes. While Joshua Radin and Ingrid Michaelson serenaded me in my kitchen, I zoned out into a completely relaxed state while the warm, sudsy water danced and played around my fingers, tugging on the sponge here and there. The delicious pumpkin spice candle that flickered behind the sink sent wafting tendrils of its delicate scent to tickle my senses, and my eyes lost focus watching the candle flame flicker and sway.
No, I didn't drop or break any dishes as I embraced my zen moment (although that would have been like me). While in that moment, I didn't so much notice it as subconsciously embrace it. It wasn't until it drifted away and I continued scrubbing that I felt a little wistful, just the tiniest bit bereft at its absence. Funny how so often the absence of something is more noticeable than its presence.
I can't say I love to do dishes, nor did my dishwashing zen moment convert me, but those lost-in-the-most-delicious-of-senses moments were certainly something to note. Who knew that cleaning could be a relaxing force. Ha, well, something to ponder anyway.
And if that's not an example of embracing the present, then I don't know what is.
Oh! Your blog has me absolutely mesmerized. Just the two posts. They've won me over.
ReplyDeleteFor one, Mary Oliver is one of my very favorite poets and your quote on the sidebar just melted my heart.
And I love washing dishes for this very reason! I hate wiping down counters and loading dishwashers and putting things away, but when I can just stand and revel in soapy water--I rather enjoy it. And with Joshua Radin and Ingrid Michaelson and pumpkin spice, what could go wrong?
(I'm going to keep gushing on about your blog, okay?) Your post about starting over--genius. Kudos to you for making such a life-changing decision. Those are NOT easy to make. Just earlier this year I decided to back out of an amazing opportunity to get my MSW right at the last minute, and am now working at Starbucks and a daycare. But gaining that clarity served me so well! Sometimes you just have take the plunge...
I'm looking forward to reading more! (PS I was an English major during undergrad, and loved every minute of it! I'm sure you'll make a great teacher :)