Welcome to Spirit Wednesday where we take a look at all things spiritual from meditation to prayer to cleaning the house. Yes, even house work can be a spiritual experience… if you choose to see it that way.
For the last week our sewer lines have been backing up whenever we use water, be it a toilet flush, a mini load of laundry or a shower. We’ve been reduced to begging to use someone else’s washer and taking showers that amount to spit baths.
I could complain, but I’m not. Bailing out the tub every night so my daughter’s bath routine remains, more or less, intact takes its toll on my bad back, but I actually enjoy it.
I suppose that sounds wierd. Let me try to explain. As I bail the water into the large bucket and toss the used liquid into the yard, I think about our ancestors who had to do this all the time. They didn’t have faucets or drains. If they wanted hot water it had to be heated by fire. Entire families would use a single bath to get clean, starting with the babies and ending with the men.
As for toilets, a bush was your best friend. Later came outhouses. The closest I’ve come to that is a port-a-potty, which I think most of us will agree are to be avoided except in cases of extreme desparation.
Anyway, I’ve discovered a peace from bailing bath water, a connection to our collective past and to those who still do not have our society’s advantages. I am thankful for what I have even when it means I must be slightly inconvienced.
When have you found a way to accept, if not enjoyed, an inconvience?
Gosh, that revived memories. When I was a teenager, we lived for several years deep in the bush, where there was no electricity, running water or telephone. We used to bucket out the baths once done, and save the water for use on the garden. I studied for my final high school exams by candlelight (there are many photographs of me wearing headbands, because I’d get tired while reading, my head would fall forward, and I’d accidentally burn my bangs). When we needed to make a phone call, I’d be loaded up with messages and 20 cent coins, and ride my horse up to the highway (a few kilometres away) to the nearest phone box. It sounds like hardship but those were formative years for me and all my family. We changed, we grew much closer. I wouldn’t change it.
It’s wise to reflect on how life used to be when we take so much of our everyday conveniences for granted. As you point out, “used to be” is still a reality for some people in many parts of the world. Being thankful is a good thing.
Great challenge and a fun outcome to looking at things that challenge us, in a different way. Attitude geared toward the hidden blessings in every situation is so important. I needed to read something like this today, so thank you for the uplift! You did some bailing of used bathwater in my spirit!
I’m glad I could help.