The Never Ending Journey

The Journey is the Destination. Really? I hadn't ever thought of that...until this morning while reading a young (and very wise) blogger's most recent post. Rachel Haltiwanger blogs at Inspired Story and she is so worth following.Go ahead, click on over there and get to know Rachel -- and vicariously enjoy traveling, discovering, getting the most from life and giving back.

That was a short commercial break to say I have great respect for this young woman, her ability to share her inspired thoughts through writing. It's a gift, I think. And today it's a wake up call for me.

I tend to forget to enjoy the journey. When we're traveling I can't wait to get there. When I'm going for a walk I focus on the halfway point and how long it will take to get back to where I started. When cleaning or working in the yard, no matter the project my goal is to be done with it. I can't remember ever basking in the pure joy of the task at hand: mowing, weeding, planting, scrubbing or polishing. And yet, I like taking walks, doing outside work, and honestly, I don't mind housework. Well, that might be a stretch, but I do like a clean house, and really, I think I could enjoy the process of getting it clean if I'd revel in every part of the accomplishment rather than being driven to have it completed NOW, or better yet, yesterday. I remember one time, years ago, working in our terribly weedy garden with Tom. We weren't even half way done when he leaned on his hoe and said, "Look how nicely this is coming along." So I got off my hands and knees and took a look. My eyes saw only the unfinished, unruly, weedy big half of the garden, and I groaned, "Look how much we still have to do," I am sad to say I couldn't take pleasure in what had been accomplished, for fretting over the lack of completion. I didn't want to be like that. I wanted to be like my husband who could enjoy and be proud of what was accomplished regardless of the work ahead. I could see the tidied-up part of the garden was gorgeous, but I couldn't celebrate.

That was years ago, and sheepishly I admit, I haven't grown much. But today I'm going to try harder -- not work harder, try harder -- to delight in what I am able to do and relish every small thing. The washer and dryer are running, sending fresh fragrances through the house. Sheets are drying on the line. Tonight we'll drift off to sleep surrounded by the sweet scent of outdoors. The house is decent enough for company. I've written a little piece so not to disappoint my writer's accountability group who I will be hosting in a few short hours. Non of that amounts to much, but it's what I've done and I think I'll relish it. And I think I'll go bake a treat for my friends when they come.

The sun is shining and this is a great day. One day of my journey...my God ordained destiny. Gosh, I wouldn't want to miss or dismiss the magic moments I have right now. Let's see, what do I get to do next! Oh yeah, go bake a cake.

"This is the day that the Lord has made.

We (He and I even if no one else) will rejoice and be glad in it!"

 Psalm 118:24

Yesterday's fun...a tractor ride to the creek with the delightful company of my two favorite girls.

And then into the pool.

Today's goal, and tomorrow's and all the days after that...Enjoy the journey, because it is the destination.  (Still wrapping my head around that.)

Keeping Promises?

The first ripe blueberry on my plant --
 a Mother's Day gift from Adam and Alicia

I've promised myself that I won't do any other writing, any other projects, not work in the tree nursery, not plant more flowers or mulch flower beds, not mow lawn, not paint or organize or clutter bust until I finish a very important writing assignment. I gave myself a deadline -- the first week of June. It's here. The writing assignment is almost complete. Almost. So I'm sort of, kind of cheating to be writing a blog post when that's on the list of things I won't do until... yeah.

But every time I turn on my computer my blog page comes up and I have to look at that picture of my living room floor halfway torn up. The renovation project has moved way beyond that point, but the house is still torn up. I'm getting tired of it...reminding myself that as with every other project we've ever done (and there have been myriad) when it's finished it's so worth it and all memory of the inconvenience fades away.

Yet today, everywhere I look my house is out of order. (Slight exaggeration, but that's my mood right now.) So the last thing I want is to turn on my computer and see Destruction that Leads to Construction complete with a picture.

By the way, we have a very flat, solid subfloor now, just think how terrific it will be once the real wood floor arrives. Meanwhile new doors and a new window are in place, and the rebuilt hearth is very pleasing.

The guys are working on our new master bath even as I type. 

The Sun is shining, and goodness, I just want to be out there. I'm going to go mow a little portion of the lawn, the part inside the fence around the pool. It won't take long. Then I'll get back to that writing assignment. I promise.