LISTEN FOR THE "SQUEAK"

Not for the squeak of the mouse, but the squeak of the dishes as they're being wiped. In one of the Little House books, Laura describes the daily ritual of wiping the dishes. She comments on how much she enjoys listening to the squeak of the dishes as she wipes them dry on a summer evening. When I first read that some years ago, I paused and thought how quaint and old fashioned that sounded. Then I really began to think about it. I don't wipe my dishes so I can't listen for the squeak. But even if I did have to dry them, would I even be aware enough to listen? I think I would just be trying to get the chore done as fast as possible. Enjoy a squeak? That sounds so odd to my modern ears because I do a lot of mindless living. My default position is to reach for something to occupy my brain. I've been well trained by this media addicted culture. So I've been trying to set a new default position. It's called pay attention mode. Here are some new things I've taken the time to experience:

the smell of a freshly sliced orange

walking outside in the rain with my arms outstretched to the sky

the amazing growing body of my 8 year old son

You can "hear the squeak" in any place and at any time. I'm hoping and praying that as my default position continues to be reset I will look forward to the silence and no longer be bored or afraid.