Life

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." ~ John Lennon

This will be a short post, since I have been a busy writer today (over 3,000 words - yay, me!) and also chatted with more than one friend. In the last couple days I have had friends tell me I am 'wise', 'wonderful', 'so nurturing' and 'such a great guide'.

(Sigh of contentment)

I have also snapped at my husband and yelled at my son.

(Sigh of regret.)

My kitchen is a wreck, I REALLY need to clean out some closets, and I still haven't managed to take down my Christmas tree. (I know. I KNOW! Well, okay, actually, once, when I was 22, my roommate and I took it down in mid-February - we lived in a high~rise and the bin was full of trees. I don't know if that makes me feel better or worse, but I am certain my husband isn't going to let me get away with anything close to that. Tomorrow. I'll take it down tomorrow.)

(sigh of long-suffering.)

At the end of a day, especially a good writing day, I sometimes find myself hard-pressed to feel enthusiastic. Usually many words on the manuscript means quite a few hours on the computer, which translates into unfolded laundry, too many dishes in the sink, and a handful of other unattended tasks.

And, usually, I'm exhausted.

I am thankful that my husband is generally forgiving, even if the house can be designated a national disaster, and he is very supportive of my writing. I do, of course, feel guilty, and often frustrated, since I seem to be the one in the house that disorder affects the most (ah, glory, a female Virgo in a family of boys - not that I really agree with that stuff, but there's something about Virgo and disorder...).

I am under deadline, both internally and externally designated, and I am ignoring my son-at-home on a regular basis.

I know. This is supposed to be a positive blog!

So here it is, the positive part.

My life really is great. Even in the midst of chaos ~ and really, this is a relative term in Suburban America ~ I am able to sit back and breathe, and remind myself that this will end. I only have to take the Christmas tree down once a year (tomorrow! really!) and unfolded laundry is significantly better than dirty laundry.

Dishes may pile up, but sooner or later they get washed - and if you don't get to it before it becomes an emergency, then it becomes an emergency, and guess what? The world does not come to an end. Instead, the dishes get washed.

Some amazing things in my life are that I have dishes that can get dirty, and clothes that go unfolded, and way too much stuff in my house. Clutter can be really annoying, but it is so much better than the alternative. Most certainly, clutter does not represent lack.

I am blessed with abundance.

A loving husband, really great kids, terrific friends. A house full of too much stuff that ultimately I will chip away at, after all the projects are turned in and (affirming here) I actually get the contract I'm waiting to hear on.

So just a small reminder to you and to Self that life is so often how we look at it - whether we choose to see the details as full of wonder or full of irritation.

“Family life is a bit like a runny peach pie―not perfect but who’s complaining?” ~ Robert Brault

This sentiment can be applied to regular life as well, and should be, on a regular basis.

And lest we desire any further reminders to hug our loved ones and thank the Universe for our blessings, we need only open a paper and look at the devastation in Haiti.

We are fortunate indeed.