the start of washing my dishes

When I was lost

My mother gave me a book,

The book was given to her,

Peace Is Every Step

I remember when i read it I started to wash the dishes

not because I liked washing dishes 

but because I knew that I could learn from it

"To my mind, the idea that doing dishes is unpleasant can occur only when you aren't doing them.  Once you are standing in front of the sink with your sleeves rolled up and your hands in the warm water, it is really quite pleasant.  I enjoy taking my time with each dish, being fully aware of the dish, the water, and each movement of my hands.  I know that if I hurry in order to each dessert sooner, the time of washing dishes will be unleasant and not worth living.  That would be a pity, for each minute, each second of life is a miracle.  The dishes themselves and the fact that I am here washing them are miracles!

... Washing the dishes is at the same time a means and an end- that is, not only do we do the dishes in order to have clean dishes, we also do the dishes just to do the dishes, to live fully in each moment while washing them."

(Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh)

This part of my life, now, where I am,

I try to be fully aware of the miracles that I have been given