7.06.2010


I keep a notebook by my bed. And a dictionary.

Whenever I want to feel smart I read the dictionary.
And whenever I think I'm smart, I write it down in my notebook.
So I don't forget.

When I go places, I like to take my dictionary and my notebook, in case I hear or see something I want to know more about, or someone wise says something I want to remember. Then I have somewhere to put it.

I don't trust my mind to remember.


Sometimes when I feel tired, or impatient, or distracted, or selfish, or hungry, or weak, or grouchy, or greedy, or confused, or sad, or worried, or busy...I like to read my notebook.


This last Mother's Day Lara gave a talk in church and she spoke about her mother. She said, "My mother was joyful. She sang while she did the laundry..."

I wrote that down.

I thought that was wise, and I wanted to remember; so I could read it months later in a tiring moment when I kind of wanted to cry, so I could feel again how I felt when Lara talked about her Mom. The joy and gratitude I felt for the job. The love I felt for my children and for my Heavenly Father. and for laundry.

So in that moment, I could brush it off and remember

to sing.



I'm glad I wrote that down.

21 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank you for the beautifully written post - encouraging and inspiring. I'm off to fold laundry.

Andi Kate, Children's Author said...

Me and laundry = not friends. I must remember to sing to it, and then maybe it would bloom into something lovely, like plantlife.

Jessica @ One Shiny Star said...

I stopped singing when I got married. But I didn't realize it until my husband left for a week... I've been singing all day, dancing around the house while the dogs look at me like I'm crazy. Hmmm, beautiful. I don't think I have the guts to do it when he's back though. :)

miranda said...

I'm glad you wrote this down too. Thanks for sharing. This is powerful.

Becky McNeill said...

THANK YOU! It isn't even 9am and already I've done 2 loads of laundry, unloaded and reloaded the dishawasher, washed last night's dinner dishes, cleaned the kitchen counters, and run the vaccuum...and I must say NOT JOYFULLY! Your post made me realize that some day I want my girls to remember me as joyful, not as a grouchy housekeeper. Thanks for changing my outlook this morning!!!

Kristi said...

love it!

Elisha Trask said...

Singing. Isn't it wonderful? I must say, you are a great mother. I can always feel the love you have for you children.
Thanks!

Emma said...

It is always good idea to write things down!! It's kinda like whistle while you work, lol!

chris said...

Those little notebooks are so handy. I like the dictionary idea, too. I've been looking for a great quote to inspire me in my laundry room...I think I just found it. thank you.

Sarah Jane said...

OH I LOVE THIS! You are the wise one. I think I will try that this week. I feel like sinking the LEAST when I am doing laundry. Just delightful!! Thanks!

~adelle said...

Yes. You are wise. I love how you can put things into words and make any thought beautiful. We need to be reminded about what is really important. It isn't about neatly folded piles...it is about making each day beautiful. La, la, la.

Lindsey Rose said...

Thanks, I am folding laundry right now, I think I will sing. It will probably make the kids laugh, which will make it all the more fun!

mandi said...

i think about this so much. about how i will be remembered by my children. and how the way i act (not what i tell them) will be the greatest example to them. i think a lot "is how i'm acting how i want my kids to act?". lots of times that changes the way i'm approaching something. above my stove i've written a little mantra that says "joy in my heart, rejoicing on my lips". that helps me remember to approach my work joyfully. and to share with my children how joyful i am to be doing the work of a mother. it's a challenge. it calls for a transformation- from the inside out.
thanks for your post- got me to doing some thinking!

My Everythings said...

You are so good with words..it makes me want to cry.

mindy said...

i love that. inspiring. i think i need that HUGE on my laundry room wall :)

Hannah Stevenson said...

I wish I knew you in real life. The End.

Anonymous said...

you're the best. That was good.
-Sarah P

wendy said...

You are a doll

the mama monster said...

i'm with the others. you are wise and i wish i knew you in real life... cause i like you :)

Anonymous said...

I actually referenced you and this post in my talk on Sunday! :) Thanks for the inspiration! And... with all that's been going on lately, soon I will need a sherpa to climb the mountain of laundry that needs folding on my couch!

Annie said...

I don't sing much—probably because of the tape of my mother's voice in my head which tells me I can't carry a tune in a bucket. But Mom is gone and the only one here to hear me is my dog, so I sing to him! Singing while doing laundry is a great idea! I think I'll give that a try! Thanks for the story!