Keeping it all in perspective

I once had a friend over to the church for a visit, and I was acutely aware, as she entered, that the place is still very much a construction zone. A folding table loaded with tools takes up the dining area. Heaps of nail-studded old boards. Tarps and stacks of half-disassembled windows and paint cans and drop cloths and scaffolding and...

But when I apologized for the mess, her reply was, "Who am I to judge? I don't even have running water!" And I was immensely grateful, not just for her grace and humour, but for the gift of perspective. We tend to criticize ourselves (far more than the world does) and see only our failings. But as my sister's kids' riding instructor says, "You can't look pretty while learning something new." Or, I would add, when doing something difficult. It's good to stop the self-critical voice in your head sometimes and acknowledge how far you've come, what you have accomplished, and what strengths you've gained. Yes, my place is a mess. But I've become not half-bad at drywalling. Sure, there are stacks of unfinished projects. But I've discovered a real love of working with my hands, especially with wood. I see myself as a producer more than a consumer. I have dreams and can envision new possibilities. This is creative clutter. It's the sign of Things Happening, and so I can now look on it with---maybe not fondness, but at least tolerance and acceptance. And I can look at myself with more of that, too.

And here are some flowers for you from last year's garden, in case you need cheering, too.