Powerful Questions for 2018 . . . Week 23

Summer fun and summer heat are always a Texas tradition together! So, while we all stay cool in our air-conditioned homes or nearby river, even the friendly garden hose for a slip-and-slide, let’s see how we respond to the next seven questions for week twenty-three of 2018. As with all the questions this month, they will challenge us with this month’s lifeskill, Housekeeping. These questions are offered by Bob Tiede at At Leading With Questions, from wisdom leaders around the nation and world.*

*Source: Marc Chernoff’s list of questions,
Thought Provoking Questions to Ask Yourself in 2018.

Question 1: What are you sure of in your life?

I am sure that within an hour or so of cleaning the house, the kitchen sink will have dirty dishes in it, and the bathroom towels will have been used and not neatly replaced on the towel rack!

Question 2: What makes you proud?

On the few days I vacuum and wash the floors, I consider myself praised for the effort! And proud of it!

Question 3: When have you worked hard and loved every minute of 

it?

Working hard is a daily exercise for me out of physical necessity. Whether I loved every minute of it is another story! For those times I have gotten on my hands and knees to scrub the grout between the tiles, was one of those days! Yet, for some inexplicable reasons, I find comfort and even enjoyment ironing the clothes. But do I love every minute? Not quite!

Question 4: Who is the strongest person you know?

My husband is amazing! At his young-at-heart age of 74 he can do things that others can’t hardly do at 40 years old! He is also probably one of the most practical, persevering individuals. I consider those traits equivalent for the strongest person I know.

Question 5: For you personally, what makes today worth living?

In years gone by I was physically unable to do the simplest of things . . . like washing the dishes, bending over to do the laundry. Each day now, I continue to be in wonder with my ability to do those things today. I have learned each day is a gift to treasure. We humans takes so much for granted. Yet, when some things were taken away for a season, they somehow become more precious when they are returned to us. So, the next time you are doing the dishes, think about the possibility of losing that ability. You will find yourself smiling with a grateful heart for any housekeeping chore on the list.

Question 6: What did you learn recently that changed the way you live?

With each day being a gift, I recently learned how to make some changes that has so far improved my physical strength and stamina. It sure feels good, even when I am scrubbing the toilets!

Question 7: What do you do to deliberately impress others?

There is always that moment when I get a surprise phone call that a neighbor or friend is dropping by in the next 30 minutes! I rush around madly spot cleaning, checking the toilets and sinks, changing bath towels, making sure the house doesn’t have an odor, fluffing the living room pillows, and hiding any clothes in the closet that were hanging around or thrown on the beds. Then the neighbor or my friend will never know at heart, I am still a Recovering Messie!

Now, it’s your turn again to choose what makes you sure in life, makes proud, and makes life worth living when you think of “housekeeping” and your “home!”