Labor
Day
“The
secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is
breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then
starting on the first one.”
Mark
Twain
I don’t
know about you, but in my dotage, I’ve become a master of procrastination. I am
reclaiming my childhood; all I want to do is play. When every day, mundane chores,
or god-forbid a big significant task comes up, I find every excuse in the world
to keep from doing it. Right now, for instance, something or someone is being
created under my bed! You should see the sinister dust clumps under there! And
I have a plumber and an electrician coming tomorrow to work in the basement and
have not yet moved everything that will be in their way. But I have created several
painted mosaics—that counts, right?
Confucius,
that wise man, said, “It doesn’t matter how slowly you go, so long as you do
not stop.” Slow and sure. And once past the resistance of getting started, I
can get the job done. Today is Labor Day, however; we’re supposed to rest from
our labors, right? And there’s the book I need to finish in time for book group.
And I was thinking about making peach dumplings today, too. See how good I am
at procrastination. I wonder whether your brain works this way as well.
To be
honest, I have found that the only way to get something done is to just do it.
I cannot wait for inspiration, or the chore I’m resisting will still be there
when they sprinkle my ashes. As Stephen King says, “Amateurs sit and wait
for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.”
It’s okay to complain while
you are getting started doing whatever it is you don’t want to do. Whining is allowed
(so long as I don’t have to listen to it). Saturday, for instance, I complained
continuously about my car having oak sap all over the top and the windshield
being completely opaque, while I gathered rags, a brush, and a bucket full of
hot, soapy water. I was still griping when I went out and washed the car. I
resented every minute that I vacuumed the excessively dirty floor mats, and of
course, I let them know just how much they were to blame for my bad mood. But now,
I have a clean car, which is a miracle.
It may be Labor Day, but
if there is something you truly need to do, just go ahead and do it. As soon as
you finish, you can read that book or play with paint. And don’t forget the
sprinkles on those peach dumplings! Cinnamon, too.
In the Spirit
Jane
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