I just got done putting away my laundry.
This is finals week.
Although these two sentences may seem to be completely unrelated, I can assure you that there is something that ties them together. Time. Because it is finals this week, the past few weeks have been extremely busy. I have been writing papers and completing projects like a mad woman! In all the end of the semester hype, I have neglected to do laundry for the past three weeks... which resulted in a mammoth pile of laundry to do tonight. Let me just say one thing about how I feel about doing laundry. I really really dislike it. Mostly because it takes me ages to put all of it away. If I just wasn't such a picky person I could cut the time it takes me put away all of my laundry in half... but I am... So it takes me FOREVER to put things away just the way I like them. Despite the chore taking up such a large chunk of my time, there is one good thing about putting away my clothes... it gives me time to think--my mind is able to just wander, and sometimes I come up with some thought provoking stuff. The following post is a result of mindlessly hanging up far too many shirts and folding far too many pairs of socks.
It all began when I thought about how many clothes I had to put away, and how much time it was taking. Then I realized that "one day" the chore of laundry will take much, much longer... and I will probably be doing it much more frequently than once every two to three weeks; when I have a family, I will be spending much more time on laundry. This realization lead me to think about how awesome this time in my life is. Let me expound.
I have the awesome opportunity to go to college at a wonderful university. I have a great ward and I'm surrounded by awesome people who help me uphold my standards. I have great co-workers. Co-workers, who, are some of my best friends. I'm grateful for all of these blessings... but this post is not about blessings, so let me try and explain why I'm listing them. I'm doing so because I've noticed the importance of having a good attitude towards life. I could have very well said, "I write so many papers for school, and I get so worn out. I have so many meetings for church I feel like I live there more than I do at my house. And as much as I love my job, it's never going to take me where I want to go in life." While all of these statements are true, they all reek of a bad attitude, and, if I were to say them, I'd be complaining. Complaining about my situation isn't going to make it any better... it will only make it worse because my attitude will worsen. As my attitude becomes worse, I will focus more on the bad and less on the good (It's very much a cyclical process). So... in context of folding laundry, my life is awesome. Why? Because I can do it the way that I like, and I know that it will get done the right way. Also, I only have me to do laundry for... so it really isn't so bad! So lesson number one? Have a good attitude about where you are in life right now. No matter where you are, I can guarantee that there are things to be grateful for. If you are having a hard time being grateful, then you best be changing your attitude... because it's hard to be grateful with a "baditude." :)
Lesson number two is closely tied with lesson number one. Lesson number two is to live for today. I, for one, know that I am guilty of the "holding out for tomorrow" syndrome. By this I mean that I think tomorrow will be better than today, and that I will be happier then than I will be now. I fall into this trap when I get caught up in wanting the results of my goals before doing the work to actually achieve those goals. I think the reason this is such a struggle for me is because I am such an impatient person. But one thing I've learned about life, is that it will work out when it is right for it to, not necessarily when I want it to. If this is the case, then why should I prolong my happiness? Why should I put off being happy until I can reach the results of my goal? Why not find joy in the journey of obtaining that goal? This goal reminds me of one of my favorite quotes, it's from the Music Man. "You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays." Why not fill each day with happiness? That way, when you accomplish your goal, you have a life full of joyful moments to look back on!
So how does one go about successfully accomplishing lesson number two? First, set goals. Whether they are long-term, or short-term... get a direction in life. You can accomplish just about anything if you set your mind to it and you're willing to work for it. There is nothing more satisfying than achieving your goals in life. But don't get so caught up in the quest that you forget to look around and enjoy the ride a little. Find a reason to laugh every day... no matter how difficult life may seem. I heard a very wise woman once say "when life gets difficult, the tough find humor." So no matter how easy or difficult your life may be, laugh a little more. Be silly. Do something crazy. Make the small moments count, because often times, they're the ones that really count. In short, live every day. It's invigorating. :)
What have I gleaned from my time spent doing laundry today? A reminder to keep my eyes open to the possibilities that are right under my nose. Life is what you make it, it always has been and it always will be. So make it great. Don't hold out for tomorrow for happiness... for surely tomorrow will be great, but why not make today wonderful as well?
