An Occasion | Yolanda Cowan
I once heard the adage that "everything has a place and eveything belongs in that place." I had been married for a few years and was discussing with some acquaintances how difficult it was to keep my house in order. I tried different techniques and systems but never could stay caught up on the dishes, the laundry, the bills, and the busy everyday life. After hearing the adage from an old neighbor, I agreed with the statement and concluded that was the simplest motto and technique to follow.
I still have difficulty practicing that idea in everyday life. To take 30 seconds to put something back where it belongs takes too much time. Over time, those 30 seconds become clutter and I can't get caught up. Just when I think I'm starting to get caught up, my two children undo whatever I thought I had accomplished. Some days, it seems my motto is "why bother when it will just be undone?" My four year old tells me when I ask him to clean up his toys, "My toys are just ready for my friends to play with." I can't argue with that.
My schedules have changed and my everyday life has changed. I contemplated decisions I made and decided that, out of necessity, I must adapt that simple adage into my life. Going back to college after a six year break, having two children, and a change in my career path has made it difficult for me to keep up unless I adopt that adage as a regular routine in my life. It's a slow process to get used to. When incorpoating any type of change, it's best to begin in a small area and expand to a larger area as you get used to the change.
Determination and diligence are very important characteristics for me when I change an aspect of my life. A childlike reward system helps me to maintain the diligence I need to successfully change my life. I post a calendar and mark off each day that I was successful. The goal of putting a mark on everyday gives me incentive and encouragement. This is where I gain the determination to keep going. I want to achieve success, I want to achieve my goal, and I want to achieve self-satisfaction.
I start incorporating this adage by simply putting things away after using them. When I have a few extra seconds I put something else away that is already out. One day I will be caught up and I will be able to give somebody else the same advice I was given. I will be able to tell them that my theory I live by is that "everything has a place and everything belongs in that place." I will say it with conviction and be able to show that I live by my theory that I spent so much time learning. It is true that "a job will take as long as you provide time for it." Life is so much more relaxed and enjoyable when you don't have to worry about the condition of your surroundings.
I still have difficulty practicing that idea in everyday life. To take 30 seconds to put something back where it belongs takes too much time. Over time, those 30 seconds become clutter and I can't get caught up. Just when I think I'm starting to get caught up, my two children undo whatever I thought I had accomplished. Some days, it seems my motto is "why bother when it will just be undone?" My four year old tells me when I ask him to clean up his toys, "My toys are just ready for my friends to play with." I can't argue with that.
My schedules have changed and my everyday life has changed. I contemplated decisions I made and decided that, out of necessity, I must adapt that simple adage into my life. Going back to college after a six year break, having two children, and a change in my career path has made it difficult for me to keep up unless I adopt that adage as a regular routine in my life. It's a slow process to get used to. When incorpoating any type of change, it's best to begin in a small area and expand to a larger area as you get used to the change.
Determination and diligence are very important characteristics for me when I change an aspect of my life. A childlike reward system helps me to maintain the diligence I need to successfully change my life. I post a calendar and mark off each day that I was successful. The goal of putting a mark on everyday gives me incentive and encouragement. This is where I gain the determination to keep going. I want to achieve success, I want to achieve my goal, and I want to achieve self-satisfaction.
I start incorporating this adage by simply putting things away after using them. When I have a few extra seconds I put something else away that is already out. One day I will be caught up and I will be able to give somebody else the same advice I was given. I will be able to tell them that my theory I live by is that "everything has a place and everything belongs in that place." I will say it with conviction and be able to show that I live by my theory that I spent so much time learning. It is true that "a job will take as long as you provide time for it." Life is so much more relaxed and enjoyable when you don't have to worry about the condition of your surroundings.
posted by Anonymous | 8:53 PM
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