March 6, 2000

Joy of Cleaning

YES! There is a joy to cleaning, and it's a joy to discover that such a joy does, indeed, exist! All my life I've thought cleaning was drudgery, people tend to snear at the thought. EGAD! Spend MY TIME Cleaning?!? Yuk, I'd rather do something else!

Until one day, about 10 years ago, I actually heard tell me, "I like to clean. It is 'Empowering!'" Empowering? hmm.. Yup, it took me 10 years to reflect about the truth in that word.

But think for a moment, when the task of cleaning is over, doesn't it feel good to have a clean environment? Reclaiming space from dust, bugs, clutter, and debris, to be able to move about and enjoy a surrounding that is clean, is indeed empowering!

I have learned ...

• that lost items will usually be found when I've stopped to clear the clutter.
• that found items I didn't even remember having lost, are bonuses for the effort.
• that I feel more refreshed, and uplifted with accomplishment, after turning a "filthy" room into one I can later relax and enjoy.

So never more the drudgery, it's just a matter of clean-as-I-go, with a new attitude on life about "Empowerment" and "Joy."

But do not ask me to come to your house to clean, for that would be "enabling" not "empowering" you. You'll need to discover that "Joy" for yourself!

Beth