This morning I did not want to get out of bed. #4 is sick and wasn't sleeping well due to coughing (that's a new symptom) and a stuffy nose (couldn't breathe). And Boyfriend and I were taking turns helping him get back to sleep. But, that doesn't mean that when it wasn't my turn I wasn't awake! So after reluctantly climbing out of bed and waking the kids I had to get started on my day.
Being the crazy woman I am (lets face it...I have issues!) I prefer to have beds made, dirty dishes in the dishwasher, kitchen and dining room wiped down and clean, and the rest of the house straightened up before I leave to take the kids to school at 7:15am. Because we woke up a little late this morning I didn't have time to unload the dishwasher to pile the breakfast dishes in. And being a person who likes to blame others I immediately (in my head) start grumbling about Boyfriend not helping out in the morning and taking off so early for work that he can't do something as simple and helpful as unloading the darn dishwasher!!
So, when I had four minutes to spare before it was time to get in the car and everything else had been accomplished, I finally opened the dishwasher thinking I could at least get some of the dishes put away...to find...an empty dishwasher!!!
And, because I hadn't noticed earlier a few dishes on a towel on the counter that needed a little more drying time before being put away!!! Come to think of it, what had Boyfriend been doing this morning before he left for work? I was so busy worrying about myself and all the things I needed to get done and walking around half asleep, that I hadn't noticed what he had been doing. Maybe, and it turns out to be so, he was unloading the dishwasher!! Thanks Boyfriend!
I sometimes take the same attitude at church meetings. I am so worried about myself and how I am feeling (stressed by the kids usually), or anxious about giving a lesson, etc. That I fail to notice the needs of others around me. I have heard too often recently from people visiting, new and not so new in the ward about how unfriendly our ward is. That no one smiles or says hello or introduces themselves. And I feel so much blame and guilt that I COULD have said hello, if I had not been thinking that nobody was saying hello to me! Or I COULD have smiled if I had not been rushed that morning because of my own selfishness (this is a recurring theme for me). Or I COULD have introduced myself if I had not been so worried about my lesson preparation. And the list of what I COULD have done (SHOULD have done really) goes on and on, as does the guilt along with it.
So, I will try to be better at being aware (not just of the services my darling Boyfriend gives to me) but of the ways I can be of service to others.
4 comments:
What I take from this blog post:
My older brother is useless around the house. Any #4 is sick, which is sad.
Carolyn, not just around the house. Useless in general. But I am easy on the eyes, so that makes up for it.
Summer, as is so often the case, you capture a timely thought and discuss it insightfully. Thanks for making me think about what I can do to make the ward more friendly.
Isn't there an expression that goes something like "We're eternal beings having a temporal experience." That means we're human with lots of frailties which we're here to try and figure out. It takes time - you're both way ahead of me in many ways - don't be too self critical. You're doing great!
I really appreciate this post and vow to read your blog more often :)
I, too, am in need of noticing others more than focusing on myself and I needed the reminder. Thanks Summer!
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