Heartwings Love Notes          

 

 

Heartwings Love Notes 920 - Polishing the Pots

Heartwings says, "there is a fine line between obsessive and being thorough."

In the fifties, when I was a young mother with two small daughters, my friends and I would often gather in one another's kitchens for visits and chitchat. One day one of my friends looked at me with admiration and said, "You are so brave, hanging your copper-bottomed pots for all to see without polishing them. Most women wouldn't dare." I smiled at her. "It doesn't seem important, " I told her. "I'd rather play with my children or read to them." At that time, many young mothers did not work outside of the home, and instead put their diligence into their housekeeping and their children.

I was happy to be home with my children. I had not been raised to work outside the home, or to have a career in the word. My mother was an artist; my ambition was to be a writer. I pursued my craft any way I could, writing publicity for the various organizations I belonged to, and sending my poetry off to magazines. Housework was not my first concern. I even wrote and sang a humorous song about how the housework could wait until my children grew up. I recall one husband of our acquaintance remarking to the children's father that he felt I was out of line with my sentiments. I was happy to avoid housework any way I could.

One of the main reasons I disliked it so much was that once I began a task, it was difficult for me to stop until it was completely finished. Yet finishing was a goal that often eluded me because I kept thinking of more that I could do to make whatever I was doing perfect. One day I ran across a magazine article that suggested limiting a task to twenty minutes at a time. This helped somewhat as I began to attempt to put this regimen into practice. I still suffer from this condition to a degree. I'm not sure why, and I look upon it as one of my opportunities to be mindful rather than go on automatic and be carried on the tide of my forward motion.

I haven't polished the bottoms of my pots for many a year. My housekeeping duties have changed considerably. I no longer have little children to mind. I can usually sit down to write whenever I like. I truly cherish this freedom, once so rare. Remembering those happy days I spent with my little ones, I feel for mothers who have to work outside the home, and who don't have the time to spend with their young children that I and many of my generation had. These days, rather than spend my free moments polishing, I do my best to find the time for fun that brings me joy, whether it's watching movies with Stephen, taking a walk in the good weather, or simply sitting and allowing myself to relax and listen to music. Polishing the pots for show is the least of my concerns, and I most likely never will hear anyone comment on them again.

May you find joyful things to do for yourself each day.

PS Do you polish your pots? Tell me your stories and let me know how it is for you? I so love to hear from readers and I promise to answer any time you write to me. With Gratitude, Tasha tashahal@gmail.com Read more lovenotes on my web site at www.heartwingslovenotes.com
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I love to hear from readers and would be honored if you would comment and let me know any suggestions or thoughts. If a friend sent you this, you can sign up at my web site, www.heartwingslovenotes.com, where more love notes can be found in the archives.

Blessings and Best Regards,
Tasha Halpert
 

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