Hi friends, talking about the Beauty in the Mundane today. Hello and a very happy weekend to you wherever you may be!
Hopefully Spring is minding its’ manners and behaving where you are, and it’s warm and sunny with blooms. Tulips would be nice. They’re my favorite. Our week actually started off cold, wet and raw around here, but thankfully the forecast improved just a smidge each day.
Thankfully, because it was getting downright dreary. I might be one of those people who needs light. I don’t know what that condition is called and I’m not gonna stop and google it now. Do enlighten me if you know. (Pun intended.) But there are people who sit under special lights in the winter because they are light deprived. And as the days are lengthening and the sunshine quotient increasing, I think I’m easier to be around. (!)
(If you’re new here, I post recipes during the week and muse on the weekends.)
I’ve been thinking a good bit about the Mundane recently. Some friends and I were chatting about the large percentage of time spent doing the Mundane tasks that need to be accomplished in life. You know, those rote repetitive responsibilities that suck up time and energy. Toilet scrubbing. Bill paying. The thankless jobs that, almost as soon as you finish them, they need repeating. It sure can be wearying.
So I compiled a list of some of the tasks I do ad infinitum either daily, weekly or monthly, in no certain order:
- wash dishes
- empty the dishwasher
- change diapers
- laundry
- dust
- vacuum
- make the bed
- scrub toilets
- haircuts for my boys
- carpool kids
- pay bills
- go through/clearing/filing the paperwork mountain on the kitchen counter
- balance the checking account
- clean the kitchen counters
- make dinner/cook
- grocery shop
- fill the car with gas
- meal plan
Phew, and now I’m tired just writing the list, rehearsing the tasks. There are certainly more I could add. And your list is different than mine. These are just the ones that came to mind first. For me, some tasks are more tiresome than others, especially the ones related to my sweet Hudson. (Hudson’s 5, my littlest of four boys. Is non-verbal, has Down syndrome.) The tasks related to Hudson can be overwhelming because little people with special needs often progress slowly developmentally, sometimes stay in the same stage for even years at a time.
Right now Hudson’s in an ardent “take apart my peanut butter and jelly sandwich stage.” First off, he wants his sandwich cut into little squares.
Yep, he’s got rules.
So every time he eats a PB & J (which is like, every day), he carefully separates each sandwich square, methodically lays it PB or J side up. No, they don’t stay that way. That would be too easy. And you know where this is going. Once he has all the game pieces set up just so, he starts eating. Some adhere to his shirt sleeve. Others land on the floor or his lap. Or the chair. Some stick to the countertop. And some, by default, arrive in his little pie hole. So when I say wiping down the kitchen counters, there’s a tad more to that story.
There’s a special person who helped me truly understand the Beauty in the Mundane. Her name is Ann, Ann Voskamp. Ann is a farmer’s wife, an author, a mother of six. Wrote the book One Thousand Gifts that deeply impacted me. In her book, among other things, she talks about cataloging the beauty all around us. Keeping a running tab of those beautiful things that sometimes enter the portholes of our eyes, but we are often blind to. The curl of an eyelash. The brilliant blue of the sky. The intricacy of the soap bubble reflection. Ann talks about a grateful heart, intentionally rehearsing gratitude for each tiny gift in life, no matter how seemingly insignificant.
“The brave who focus on all things good and all things beautiful and all things true, even in the small, who give thanks for it and discover joy even in the here and now, they are the change agents who bring fullest light to all the world.” – Ann Voskamp
“There is a way to live the big of giving thanks in all things. It is this: to give thanks in this one small thing. The moments will add up.” – Ann Voskamp
“Life-changing gratitude does not fasten to a life unless nailed through with one very specific nail at a time.” -Ann Voskamp
Reminds me of one of my all-time favorite quotes by Marcel Proust, on the header of this blog:
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
Isn’t that the truth though? We see what we choose to see. And when we choose to look expectantly with intentionality, we suddenly see those beautiful things that just moments ago were hidden.
So back to that chat with my friends. In our conversation meanderings, we came to the conclusion that every single Mundane task, is actually just hard proof of how much we’ve been blessed.
- washing dishes – food to eat on those dishes
- emptying the dishwasher – not washing and drying each dish by hand
- changing diapers – a precious little person to love on, cherish and care for
- laundry – clothes to wear (yep – that’s a relief!)
- dusting – furniture in my home
- making the bed – a comfortable, clean place to sleep each night
- scrubbing toilets – the days of outhouses (and chamber pots) are over (rejoice!)
- carpooling kids – my children are experiencing a life rich with opportunity
- paying bills – we have electricity, water, food, phones etc., also the money to pay those bills
- balancing the bank accounts – enough money that it needs balancing
- making dinner – blessed with a family to feed
- washing the kitchen counters – love you Hudson, because of the precious person you are, not the PB & J mess you make
- grocery shopping – so many available choices of food and produce
Because the truth is, the Mundane itself, is just one more evidence of an overflowing and abundant life. Meanwhile, there are millions dealing with heartache, tragedy, etc. Every day their best wish would be for the mundane. It’s often only in tragedy or loss that we suddenly realize what a beautiful place the mundane was. And we long to go back.
“When we lay the soil of our hard lives open to the rain of grace and let joy penetrate our cracked and dry places, let joy soak into our broken skin and deep crevices, life grows. How can this not be the best thing for the world? For us?” – Ann Voskamp
I’m thinking about the Beauty in the Mundane for a number of reasons, but one of them is that we received heartbreaking news this past week that southern friends of ours tragically lost their daughter on Tuesday. The funeral was yesterday. My heart is so heavy for them. If only they could turn back the clock, they’d welcome the mundane with arms wide open. It really puts things into perspective.
And so my mundane becomes yet another reason for eucharisteo, thanksgiving.
Goodbye friends, gotta go scrub toilets. Fold laundry. Wash dishes. Clean kitchen counters. (With a grateful heart.)
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LaWanna Burrows says
Thanks, I will check on it at our Library, sounds like you have a lot going own in your life, My Husband and I are retired and thought we would get to travel, but one of our daughters found a little dog that had been left to make it on his own, needless to say we went to Texas from Ark, and brought this little thing home he is now up to about 75 # and is not little, took a while to get him well but we love him anyway, so a person never knows what lies ahead for us.I think god gives a person with special needs to someone he knows will love and take special care of him or her.I enjoy your website and recipes. I hope you have a great day..
LaWanna….Jo
Allie says
Hi LaWanna, Thanks so much for dropping by. I see that you also have your plate full. I have friends who recently retired who thought they would be traveling now too, but some very difficult circumstances in their son’s life happened, and they adopted his three dogs. They sure do love them so much, but it has been quite a sacrifice on several levels. It seems that’s what love is all about, a willing to sacrifice. We are so thankful for Hudson, he teaches us so much every day. Tomorrow he turns six! It’s hard to believe. Unfortunately he’s sick right now, so we’ll celebrate with the family towards the end of the week when hopefully he’s feeling better. Have a great week! Oh and about that book, just a note that the first few chapters of the book are hard to read. Some very difficult and sad things happen. If you can get through the first five or so chapters, the tone of the book really changes and is encouraging.
Aunt Pinkie says
Thanks, Allie, for.showing and reminding us that God has put ALL things in our lives for our,good- even sorrow! May He grant His mercy and peace to your dear friends!
Allie says
Thanks Aunt Pinkie! XO
Marilyn says
Thanks for putting things in proper perspective.
Allie says
Thanks friend, when the really hard stuff happens, everything else kind of falls into perspective….xo
Susie Mandel says
What a beautiful reminder. Thank you so much, Allie. I will be sharing this on FB! Are the tulip photos yours? They’re gorgeous.
Allie says
Thank you so much Susie, for the kind words and the share. I loved the tulips too. Wish they were mine, but I found them on an amateur picture site I’m a member of that allows you to pool pictures and use free reference images w/out source attribution. I typed in “spring flowers” and these were the first that came up, totally made my day. xoxo
Robin @ Simply Southern Baking says
What a beautiful post Allie. Yes, we need to be thankful for the mundane and even the little things. The book you mentioned will be the subject of the ladies’ Bible study I go to this fall. Have a blessed weekend. xo
Allie says
Hey Robin, thanks for dropping by. I’m so excited about your study this fall. We did this book as a book discussion at our church several years ago. We should’ve done it as a study though, because there was way too much material for one book discussion. We ended up meeting several times instead, after we only made it through the first few chapters in the first discussion. The beginning of this book is a hard read. At least it was for me. Some very difficult things happen. But around the fifth chapter the tone of the book changes and it was such an encouragement to me. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of something she said or am reminded to be thankful for the little things. Have a great week! xo
Tracy says
This really is the truth!!! Thank you for reminding us all. Just love this piece! I am still looking forward to returning to my full list of the mundane? Soon!! My heart breaks for your friends and their daughter!!!! Prayers go out to you all. Love you Allie and all of your “mundaneness” Ha! ?
Allie says
Well thanks Tracy, and you would know. Hope and pray you’ll be returning to the mundane very soon. Thanks for the love, despite all my “mundaneness.” That made me laugh. And that in itself, is a gift. So thank YOU! xo
Carina says
Thanks for this beautiful post Allie, somehow just exactly what I needed. The quotes you shared from One Thousand Gifts are very moving. I remember you mentioning this book to me before, and I have been meaning to check it out, so I think now is the time. I have always loved that quote by Marcel Proust. I am curious about the picture with that quote – is it something from your home? (looks like it might have an interesting story!) And beautiful flowers, too! By the way, you might be thinking of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). I am sorry for your friends’ loss. How heartbreaking. Thanks again tor this post. Xoxo
Allie says
Hi Carina, loved hearing from you, thanks for your note. I replied to several others here that this book is great, but be warned that the first 3-4 chapters are a very difficult read. Some really hard things happen and you may have to stop reading for a while. I did anyway. It is a very encouraging book but a hard read initially. The picture of that quote is not from my house, it’s a poster made of that saying. I’m re-doing my office, just in the beginning stages of that. And I ordered a letterpress (small) card stock poster that I want to get framed of that quote to go on the wall in there. I have so many ideas of things I want to do, I’m just picking out the colors, thinking about a shade or two lighter than a robin’s egg blue. I ordered a metal utility work table with a shelf underneath and want to frame a large simple chalk board to go over that on the wall. I could go on and on! So many ideas. I do love to decorate Carina, but haven’t done a thing with that for a long time. There has been so much going on. Thank you friend, and wishing you all the very best this week. xo
Barbara Child says
Yes, we need to be thankful for the mundane! We often do these things “automatically” and that gives us a chance to think about and commune with God and listen to His still small voice.
Allie says
You are so right Barbara. XO
RuthAnne Fuller says
Loved it…shared with my sister in law and she signed on to your blog. We will be heading to SC tomorrow
to visit with friends, spend a week on the ocean in Florida and share in the joy of two or our granddaughters
graduating…one from college and one from high school. Spring seems to have finally arrived in Ohio…it was warmer here yesterday than in Greenville, SC. Grace and Blessings…Ruth Anne
Allie says
Oh thank you so much RuthAnne, no moss on you rolling stone Fullers. You’re headed back south again!!! Have a wonderful trip, enjoy the sun and sand and celebrating your wonderful granddaughters!! Love to all!
Rosemary Houston says
Thank you for the beautiful reminder that MUNDANE is blessing and mercy and beauty!
The “light” problem is called Seasonal Affective Disorder. Bradley is just completing a research paper on the subject for his Challenge II class. The sunlight on your skin causes the body to produce Vitamin D, (really a hormone that then signals the gut to produce the serotonin that causes your Happy Mood.) Having a happy gut prevents those nasty food cravings! Also, melatonin (sleepy hormone)is increased due to a dark environment. Very interesting, as I get these winter “blahs” too! One recommendation is to head south, how far is up to you, just don’t pass the mid-line! The closer to the equator the less frequently this disorder occurs. Even from sunny, warmer, South Carolina heading south to a warmer spot around early- mid February can be beneficial to us “light lovers!” Frances Swartz, we need to visit!!
Allie says
Thank you so much Rosemary, and this is great information about SAD. What a fascinating project that Bradley is working on. I’ll tell Jon that I must fly south, immediately, for health reasons. 🙂 You and I can be “test cases.” And we can crash at Frances’ house. I would love that. 🙂
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Such a beautiful and inspiring post, Allie… but I feel like I’m ALWAYS saying that to you! I LOVE how you look at life and this ‘”the Mundane itself, is just one more evidence of an overflowing and abundant life” is a prime example. Such a beautiful way to think. And SO true! You are absolutely right, there is a gift in the mundane. We should all take more time to be appreciative and realized how blessed we are. Thank you for that reminder, dear. Cheers! xoxo
P.s. My condolences to your friend’s loss. My heart and prayers go out to them
Allie says
Hey friend, thanks for your note and kind words. Always enjoy your thoughts. And thank you for the condolences. Their daughter was hit by a car in SC and it was ruled an accident. So heartbreaking. xo
K McDowell says
Allie, I have a son that is 14 that has DS. He was nonverbal for awhile but we were able to make a communication board and supplement with sign language which really helped (him and certainly us). He has always understood everything we were saying, we just couldn’t understand him… but with these two forms of communication… it really helped bridge our communication skills. Our speech therapist was able to help us once we asked about it. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Allie says
H K, I’m so glad you dropped by and many thanks for your comment. Always encouraging to hear from other parents. We are in process of fitting Hudson with a speech device, the appointment is coming up hopefully very soon. I know that is just a stepping stone towards speech, but at this point, we just need to be able to communicate. It’s pretty frustrating on both sides. I’m fairly certain Hudson understands most of what we’re saying too, but he is also very stubborn, and so that makes it extra tricky. I do know one word he completely understands… PIZZA! Ha. I also have an older sister who has DS and she is in her late 40’s now. She does have speech, but also has some form of early on-set alzheimer’s… she forgets and repeats herself a great deal. So nice to hear from you.
Karen Espalin says
Mundane….oh how it bugs me.
We put make-up on in the morning and take it off at night.
Make the bed in the morning to undo it at night.
Pull weeds to only see more the very next day.
I could go on 🙂
I do appreciate how Capitalism has encouraged people to invent ways to make the mundane easier.
Thanx for the thoughts,
Karen
Jenny Lanctot says
A lovely reminder. Thank you for sharing, Allie! I will tackle today with those thoughts as I pick up after little children, change poopy diapers, and prepare meals that I probably won’t be thanked for. I am thankful for meals to prepare and sweet little butts to keep clean!
Allie says
Hey girl, you and me both!!! HA. Thanks for dropping by Jenny.
Linda Jenkins says
Allie, this is beautifully written and so very true. Reminds me of our Bible Study discussions and reading the book you gave me to borrow. I find that when I focus on the beauty in even the most mundane of tasks I become completely absorbed and very peaceful. That shows me how subject we are to our society that rushes through tasks. Focusing on the beauty in the mundane reminds me that those simple, ordinary tasks bring us closer to family, friends, and Jesus. How could we be doing anything in His presence and not be at peace? True reminder to “take time to smell the roses” in life.
Mandi Korn says
Your such a wonderful inspiration and you are making me rethink all the Mundane things I feel that I do all the time too. Some days are better then others:o)
editing proofreading services says
Sadly, I am pretty bad at cooking such things as biscuits or cakes or even pancakes. But i’ll try to use your recipe.