Enlightened Housekeeping

by Ingrid Goff-Maidoff

The other day, whilst cleaning out the refrigerator and processing six loads of the family's laundry, I came as close as I ever have to a blissful householder's epiphany. What I realized was this: these chores are eternal. In fact, until I die, they will never end. And I found myself accepting this. And I was happy.

There is a Zen proverb that says, "Before enlightenment: chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment: chop wood, carry water." What this proverb is teaching is that enlightenment is not a place we reach where everything is clean and easy and we have no more chores, no more needs, etc. Enlightenment is a state of mind, a perception, an acceptance.

I used to think, while scrubbing out the toilet, that I was scrubbing out the toilet once and for all. Really. Part of me seemed to think that someday, if I got it right, I would never have to do that again. And then I would suffer to watch the grime re-establish itself.

Now I know that there are some people who will chuckle and suggest that if I hired a cleaning person I could avoid this whole sticky subject. But I'm learning a lot this way. I'm moving on to a philosophy of acceptance, gratitude, and mindfulness rather than denial, and I have to say, it's working for me.

I realize that the Wise One in me has slipped glimpses of this into my writing in the past. The House Blessing says, among other things,
"May this be an environment that celebrates life, untidy and ever flowing…." And in the book on friendship I added this passage for balance, "Good friends don't mind a few crumbs on the floor."

So this enlightened housekeeping moment was coming. But the other day it really hit me. The light went on. The light went on and I could see dust bunnies everywhere.

~

Here are a few little poems I wrote to keep my wit as well.

Housewife Haikus

Rushing toward greatness
you left dishes in the sink.
They wait for you now.

~
Fragmented days;
the children, their needs.
Poems are like windows
to look out, to look in.

~

Vacuuming insight:
No amount of stray pennies
help digest the sock.

~
Once my eyes are dim
and I can't see my own dust,
I'll revel in it.

~

Thank goodness for the trash tonight.
Dragging it to the curb
I saw the night sky filled with stars.

Copyright 2008/2009 Ingrid Goff Maidoff, all rights reserved.

Ingrid Goff-Maidoff is a poet, nectar seeker, and book artist who lives on the island of Martha's Vineyard. Her work appears in numerous anthologies, including her gift book collections on Friendship, Happiness, and Love from Andrews McMeel Publishing. Her hand-made books and gifts for heart-centered living are lovely remembrances of the spiritual realm, and are available through: http://www.tendingjoy.com

Ingrid's "Portions of Joy" e-newsletter is enjoyed by thousands of subscribers.


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