Just One Small Thing
Posted by AGroup in Just me on Friday, May 21, 2010 12:00 PM
I never cease to be amazed how much it invigorates me when I have the time and energy to start my day with a long shower, do my hair, apply my makeup, and slip on a snappy outfit—but, let’s face it, here in the real world that’s not always possible.
There have been days when all I’ve been able to accomplish is to quickly brush my teeth and throw on something that doesn’t alert the world to the fact that it’s been a week since I’ve tackled the laundry!
The simple fact of the matter is that there are going to be seasons of life when we do spend an awful lot of time in our pajamas with day old oatmeal in our hair. And that’s okay. More than okay, actually. This is the dying to self that our faith instructs us to seek. This is the face of sacrifice and selflessness. This is the beauty of motherhood.
Having said that, I don’t know about you but I’d rather not walk around sporting day-old oatmeal in my hair if I can help it. It dampens my spirits and, I won’t lie, makes me feel a bit defeated. I know that’s probably not the correct attitude to have but it is what it is. I like clean hair! What can I say?
While we have to accept that these seasons of dirty hair may come round from time to time, I’m certainly not suggesting that Moms don’t deserve showers or shouldn’t desire them. A mother that can occasionally find time to pamper herself is a mother that will be happier and will have more to give back to her family in the long run. I’m only acknowledging that there may be periods of time when it will be more of a challenge to slip these things into our daily routines. So, what’s a busy Mom to do?
“Just one small, simple thing,” said a dear friend of mine.
Every day this friend makes it a point to do just one single thing to lift her spirits. Even if she can’t find time to shower, she makes a point to apply perfume, spend a little time on her hair, put on one of her favorite outfits or do some other such thing. It may not be the hour-long hot bath she desires but small things really do make a difference!
While chatting with my friend, I considered which one simple thing I would choose to do on those days when one simple thing is all I have the time for. The answer came easily. Nothing lifts my spirits more than my Clinique Tenderheart lipstick. If I have only thirty seconds to dash into the bathroom I’ll leave the messy hair, I’ll even accept (albeit begrudgingly) the circles under my eyes, but my lipstick is coming with me!
For the past week or so I’ve made it a point to apply my lipstick every morning. It doesn’t solve all of my problems or infuse me with super-human patience but it does give me that extra little boost I need to face the day’s challenges.
What little things do you do to cheer yourself up when life gets hectic and your alone time is at a minimum?
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