Washing the Dishes
from Rev. Leggett
I always try to do too much at the same time. For example, without realizing it, when on the phone with sometime, I find that I'm checking my email on my computer— reading, listening, and talking,—all at the same time! So far I haven't gotten caught! Don't we modernists pride ourselves with all of our multi-tasking? We now drive on busy highways while dialing cell phone numbers and then we carry on a detailed business conversation also while dodging traffic--all at the same time. In the kitchen, while preparing a meal, I listen to the evening news, read a new menu, listen out for the microwave timer, and talk to Steve-simultaneously! If we had two or three children, I'm sure the multi-tasking would be accelerated quite a bit!
We all do this. It's part of our life in the fast lane. If we didn't rush to get things done, we'd get a lot less done, right? But what is all this multi-tasking doing to our being able to really enjoy life? If we rush through something to get to the next thing on the list, what is this saying about quality focus on the work or task at hand?
The following writing, “Washing the Dishes,” is by Thich Nhat Hanh. It expresses exactly our dilemma and gives us some good advice about how to slow down and enjoy life a little more.
While washing the dishes one should only be washing the dishes, which means that while washing the dishes one should be completely aware of the fact that one is washing the dishes. At first glance, that might seem a little silly: why put so much stress on a simple thing? But that's precisely the point. The fact that I am standing at the sink and washing these bowls is a wondrous reality. I'm being completely myself...conscious of my presence and conscious of my thoughts and actions....
If while washing the dishes we think only of the cup of tea that awaits us, thus hurrying to get the dishes out of the way as if they were a nuisance, then we are not "washing the dishes to wash the dishes." What's more, we are not alive during the time we are washing the dishes. In fact, we are completely incapable of realizing the miracle of life while standing at the sink. If we can't wash the dishes, the chances are we won't be able to drink our tea either. While drinking the cup of tea, we will only be thinking of other things, barely aware of the cup in our hands. Thus we are sucked away into the future--and we are incapable of actually living .
Said another way, these words by Barbara DeAngelis:
First I was dying to finish high school and start college.
And then I was dying to finish college and start working.
And then I was dying to marry and have children....
And then I was dying to retire.
And now I am dying...and suddenly I realize I forgot to live.
Let's all slow down and enjoy the ride, smell the roses, and even have some fun doing a simple thing like the dishes!
With Love, Your Minister,
Bill
Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham
A member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association
Location: 4300 Hampton Heights Drive · Birmingham, Alabama · 35209 · U.S.A
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 19786 · Birmingham, AL 35219
Phone: (205) 945-8109 · Fax: (205) 945-8111
E-mail: office@uucbham.org
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