Joy in the Little Things

Today I cleaned three beautiful houses with my mother-in-law. Christmas decorations are going up--one tree is easily ten feet tall, festooned with trendy white gold and dusty teal ornaments and a huge featherlike topper. Santas with quizzical faces peered out at me as I dusted, and stylized snowmen grinned from startling places. I enjoyed meeting each new character and decoration as I labored through the accustomed routine.

Cleaning is certainly not my favorite thing! I look forward, soon, to resigning my position. But I must admit that there are many opportunities to find joy in the work. Leaving a lovely house in perfect condition, tiptoeing across spotless floors, and closing the door on swathes of vacuumed carpet is rewarding. Being more likely to sweep dirt under a rug than pick it up in my own housekeeping, the much more rigorous standards of cleaning on the job bring me satisfaction.

I enjoy finding joy in the little things, even cleaning other peoples' houses!