Paradigm Shift
Being a mother is most fulfilling and yet it’s one of the challenging jobs. I am evolving, being part of my daughter’s happy-self and her activities. Time just flies while helping her with school work, attending to her emotional feelings, and sometimes tantrums. Days go by with other routines like cooking, housekeeping, getting work done by my maid, running errands etc. Sometimes it gets so exhausting that I end up craving for my “me” time. At the end of day, all I wish is for some quite time with myself. Something I love doing- reading a favorite book, or sip a cup of tea, or watch a movie, or write to myself, or talk to a friend. Whatever feels like at that moment. Last thing I wish is to hear any other added chore.
One-day my husband asked me- “If I can water the little garden we have at home, while he will be away on a travel overseas.” As little request as it sounds, to me the first thought that popped in my head was “No.” I resisted it in my head. I would have rather wished for more relaxed days and some free time. But yet I reluctantly said “Ok,” perceiving it as another chore for myself. Well, gardening is the fondest hobby for my husband. He gets lost in planting, potting, re-potting, and everyday watering. Somehow he finds solace in it. Taking care of the garden has been his baby. Although I love to see flowers bloom in plants, but gardening doesn’t come naturally to me. On the other hand, part me didn’t want to see the plants dry and wither out either. So, I told myself- “I would do it for the sake of nature and not for my husband.” Yes, I could ask my maid to do this job for me. But part of me says if I am taking up something I might as well do it with 100% involvement and interest, or I might as well just say “No.” I don’t see that kind of work through my maid. So, I started to diligently water them every day- I found that I didn’t feel it as a chore. In fact, I enjoyed it. I loved the wet mud aroma, I loved the sight of water trickling down from the leaves. Sun shining on the flowers. The feel of barefoot walking on the stone laid grass. I spotted bud blooming into flower the next day. Few butterflies flying around. I began to appreciate the surrounding greenery. To my surprise, it was indeed a rejuvenating experience. For that 15 minutes- I found myself with the plants, and away from my usual mundane to-do list. I was just present “in the moment” with the little garden, little nature around me. In fact, it turned out to be a detached activity, and slowed down my ever speeding thoughts. I then realized it was a blessing in disguise! I thought to myself- maybe I got too busy with doing-ness of my own work, and missed on being-ness. I had missed to notice the “life” blossoming, just around the corner of my home. That very moment was a paradigm shift. My thoughts about my husband dumping another chore on me seemed to change. I happily embraced it. I became aware of openness within me. I thought next time I come across anything new- I will try it out first with openness. I will not resist. I had heard somewhere- “God never gives us the experiences which we don’t need.” I second it now. Unexpectedly, I ended up adding “watering the plants,” to my “I don’t mind list.” I discovered something new in me. It was worth a try after all! On the deeper level I also realized, any small work can be a spiritual experience if I show total involvement in it.
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