Still considering ordering the book, Keeping House---The Litany of Everyday Life by Margaret Kim Peterson. And after visiting a neighbor's house the other day and finding myself shocked once again at the disorder and dirt folks live in on a daily basis, I think this book will feed a part of me that needs a taste of tidiness.
From what I'm able to learn from the pages of the book available to read online, Mrs. Peterson talks about the 'sacredness of the everyday' which is a catch phrase I see around that really appeals to me. And with the disturbing memory of my neighbor's kitchen (similar to another friend's house) sticking in my brain, I'm puzzled by our ability to live in filth and to do it on a daily basis. It seems to say something about our mental health when we'll willingly look at a disgusting amount of dirt everyday and not mind it. Or maybe we get so worn down that we don't even see the mess. I can be that way, and hate that part of me. I'm not even close to being a good housekeeper and have been concerned at my inability to stay on top of the heavy cleaning. I think that at times I've just given up.
But there's dirt and then there's filth and there is a distinction. Letting things get way out of hand and allowing ourselves to slip are two different things. Where is our head when we'll leave the stove to stay continually in an unhealthy condition? When we allow the mold in the shower to stay for day after day after day, what's the message? What about the times when we don't even apologize for the mess, but find it being a part of who we are?
That's just wrong, and yes, I have been guilty.
Seems this book covers the idea of making housekeeping a spiritual exercise. Of making our cleaning a part of who we are---and taking part in the ritual of cleaning for the blessing it gives to ourselves and more especially, to our families. I like the idea of Brother Lawrence in his attitude of a prayerful attitude about household chores. It's really not for us, but for Him.
It seems that blinders have fallen from my eyes, and I'm seeing things anew. It's not about whining with not having the time to clean, but having enough self-respect to do the job right. And really, not just do the chores, but to adjust our attitudes so that the physical act of cleaning is more than that. A bit like praying over our families while we fold their clothes---the same mindset could be used in other mindless chores around the house. Then, maybe, we'd actually find ourselves enjoying the process.
And, by the way, with a limited budget and with being so busy all of the time, things do get out of hand here. Many times I find myself totally frustrated at the ability of our house to spew over itself and not be self-cleaning. But that's an issue for another day. :)
