You can allow life to happen, or you can make it happen.
Washing dishes – not my favorite activity.
It needs to be done, but it feels like wasted life.
However, there are two things that my husband and I have done to make kitchen work, like washing dishes, an opportunity to create gratitude rather than a dull, lifeless, meaningless chore.
Decorate to Remember
When we moved into our house, we decided that we wanted to create a nautical-themed room. My husband loves the ocean and we don’t live near the beach, so this reminds him of one of his passions. We decided that the kitchen would make a great nautical room since we spend time there each day.
We splashed some blue paint on the wall and collected nautical decorations. Now our kitchen is home to place mats made from old sails, handmade lighthouse fabric seat cushions, hand-crafted fish, crabs, star fish, kayaking bendy people, seashell towels, even a Hobie Cat with wedding gift bridal rubber duckies enjoying a sail!
When washing dishes becomes dull and mundane, I can look around the room and be transported to memories of vacations at Cape May, the Thanksgiving that we spent in the Florida Keys, or the diversion we made to a beach in Delaware where we shivered in the evening ocean breeze watching the most beautiful cotton-candy colors in the sunset.
We created an environment where performing a boring chore can stimulate memories for which I am thankful.
Opportunities for Pleasant Distractions
During the summer months, we have a hummingbird feeder
Despite the fact that I really want to finish washing dishes and put that chore behind me, I never mind the time that I spend in stillness watching the hummingbird. Each little visit is a gift that makes me appreciate their beauty, and I find that my shoulders have relaxed a bit when they fly away.
When you create spaces that create opportunities to be grateful, even washing dishes is not so bad.
Live Grateful Today 