Wednesday, March 7, 2007

All In Good Time: Time to Stop Procrastinating

A couple of days ago I was in conversation with several people talking about an upcoming reason for celebration. One of the people in this group was saying something to the effect of "If they'd done what I suggested this could have happened a long time ago". Ever since hearing that I've had the phrase "All in good time" running through my head.

"All in good time" means pretty much the same as "Every path is the right path" and ties into my mantra from when I was pregnant with my first baby, recently divorced, in a tenuous (at best) relationship (with a drummer!), unemployed and without insurance, homeless and car less (but not hopeless) of "It will work out because it HAS to work out". At that time I did not have faith in God. I had rejected the 'school principal'/sitting-in-judgment (just waiting for me to mess up) god of my youth but had not yet found God within me. But I did believe in myself and my intuition (that's where God was waiting patiently and lovingly for me).

"All in good time": Everything happens for it's own reason. I guess one could call it fate or predestination or what-have-you but I think of it as being on the path that leads one to the lessons one needs to learn. I trust my intuition but I know that I'm also lazy; I'd rather read a book than clean the house. Is my reading a book harmful? Not in one way. But, I've been wanting to socialize more, have friends (and Friends) come over to our house. Hammy is uncomfortable having people over if the house is not clean and tidy and I understand and honor his boundaries. Having a messy house is not a sin but if, sitting and reading a book (no matter how compelling or enlightening) keeps me from cleaning the bathroom and that, in turn, keeps Hammy from being comfortable with having people over and that keeps me from connecting with someone or strengthening a friendship, then maybe it is a sin. And I don't mean like "cleanliness if next to Godliness" kind of sin. I mean, I'm not living up to being the best person I know to be; I'm failing myself.
It's time to shed the withdrawing inwardness and introspection of winter. Spring is here; the sun is shining, the daffodils are blooming, the breeze is warm enough to open windows. Time for some spring cleaning. Time to move and open up my mind, my heart and my home. Time to put things right (and finally paint the bathroom after having the paint mixed and ready for 6 months).
Is there a 'spring cleaning' song? Kate Bush has a song about doing laundry and the B52s have a song "Housework is a Bitch". Any other songs about domestic drudgery anyone can think of?

"Mrs. Bartolozzi" by Kate Bush

I remember it was that Wednesday
Oh when it rained and it rained
They traipsed mud all over the house
It took hours and hours to scrub it out
All over the hall carpet
I took my mop and my bucket
And I cleaned and I cleaned
The kitchen floor
Until it sparkled
Then I took my laundry basket
And put all the linen in it
And everything I could fit in it
All our dirty clothes that hadn’t gone into the wash
And all your shirts and jeans and things
And put them in the new washing machine
Washing machine
Washing machine

I watched them going ’round and ’round
My blouse wrapping itself around your trousers
Oh the waves are going out
My skirt floating up around my waist
As I wade out into the surf
Oh and the waves are coming in
Oh and the waves are going out
Oh and you’re standing right behind me
Little fish swim between my legs
Oh and the waves are coming in
Oh and the waves are going out
Oh and the waves are coming in
Out of the corner of my eye
I think I see you standing outside
But it’s just your shirt
Hanging on the washing line
Waving it’s arm as the wind blows by
And it looks so alive
Nice and white
Just like it’s climbed right out of my washing machine
Washing machine
Washing machine

Slooshy sloshy
slooshy sloshy
Get that dirty shirty clean
Slooshy sloshy
slooshy sloshy
Make those cuffs and collars gleam
Everything clean and shiny
Washing machine
Washing machine
Washing machine

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ah, the choice between reading a good book and cleaning the house...what a difficult one. And what a good point about transitioning into spring and leaving the hibernation period. It is so helpful to hear another book loving homeschooling mom be honest about everyday life. And it's reassuring to know that I'm not the only liberal Christian homeschooling mom in the universe. Nice to meet you!

Friendly Mama said...

And you too, Jennifer! I like having friends I know I can invite over who won't judge my less than stellar (waaaay less than) housekeeping. I'd rather discuss books than cleaning solutions, anyday! I have one friend who loves to read books about cleaning but her house is generally pretty untidy. If I'm not gonna do it, I don't wanna read about it...now that I think about it, that's not true at all: I don't garden or enjoy cooking all that much but I like to read books about gardening and cookbooks.
Where do you live?
Mary Linda