Being Thankful for the Frogs

A few days ago, I wrote about the dreaded tasks we face each day, comparing them to the LIVE FROGS we should eat first thing, so nothing worse can happen to us for the rest of the day. In other words, I need to stop procrastinating the things I don't want to do and get them finished early in the day so that the dark cloud hanging over my head can dissipate, and let the sun shine again. If we tackle the harder things early, the rest of the day we can feel a sense of accomplishment, and perhaps even joy, knowing we can look forward to the rest of the day.

Well, this morning, I had determined to tackle three big frogs: dusting, sweeping, and vacuuming. I jumped right in first thing, taking on the dust bunnies while chatting to Chuck who was driving to work. I got about half of my dusting done, and decided I'd like Chuck to keep me company while I rode the stationary bike for a half hour. I got my exercise frog eaten before breakfast, and went after the dusting frog after that.

Things were going pretty well with the dusting until...I found things that had to be put away in other rooms. <croak-croak> When tidying up the bill pile, I discovered paperwork that needed to be submitted TODAY to meet the deadline for reimbursement. <croak-croak>  I found a medical bill that had to be paid. (Let's just say it was more than $100. A lot more than $100.) <croak-croak> Before I could submit the expenditures, I had to set up our online account. <croak-croak> These croakin' frogs were going to be the death of me. 

I hate paperwork. I hate filing papers. I hate submitting forms. There are many reasons I did not pursue a career as a secretary or personal assistant. Not wanting to hate my life was the biggest reason of all. I pretty much suck at typing, and all other things secretarial. 

My usually cheerful demeanor began to change the longer I sat at my computer. I sent a few whiny texts Chuck's way, and when the man-who-has-to-commute-nearly-three-hours-a-day-to-work-his-eight-hour-day-at-a-stressful-job began to feel sorry for me, I knew I needed to stop what I was doing immediately. I could feel my heart racing. I was taking shallow breaths. I was becoming agitated at the smallest inconveniences. I inhaled slowly and deeply, and then let all of that tension go with the exhale. That always helps.

The first thing I did was thank Chuck for listening to me whine, and then I promised to adjust my attitude, realizing it was my HONOR to get these minor tasks done while Chuck was at work so that when the weekend arrived, we could play and relax together. He deserves that, and so much more. 

Then I set up my iPad with some relaxing music, and made myself a cup of green tea in my favorite mug. My command central post was starting to feel like more like a spa than a disorganized office. A few more deep breaths, and then I realized just how lucky I am to be where I am right now. I'm retired. I'm at home. I get to do what I want to do all day long. And SOMETIMES, I have to do a few things I'd rather not. 

QUITYERBELLYACHIN'! I told myself.

I knew if I just kept plodding along, I would eventually get the paperwork frog done, and I would figure out the bill frogs. (See what I did there?) The housework frogs were still croaking their chorus, but one of the advantages of being the only one home is I get to decide which frogs will get eaten today, and which ones can wait until later. 

The croaking has all but subsided now. The urgent things are done. It's not even noon yet, and I will futz and putter for the rest of the day, and eventually my housework will get done. Sometimes an adjustment in attitude can make everything better. Nothing really changes, except my outlook. For now, I'm going to be thankful for the frogs. While they may not be a delicacy, they are certainly edible. 

Bon appetit!