OCD

  I have a rule that I uphold within my household - “Clean up one mess before you make another.”  My five year old daughter is being indoctrinated to also uphold this rule.  She cleans up an art project she’s been working on before she brings out her toys.  Before I begin cooking dinner, I make sure to wash any dishes that were used earlier in the day.  Just the other night my daughter and I baked a cake before I started cooking dinner.  I made sure to clean up the mess made from baking the cake before I started dinner.  Now this may be a slight case of OCD on my behalf, but it sure does help maintain a clean household, and maybe even prevent an OCD meltdown.  Also, I am convinced that it will help my daughter maintain a clean environment for when she has her own place to live (You're welcome roommate.  No problem future husband.). 

  Continuing to venture forth in my newly acquired single lifestyle, I’ve noticed a lot of what I consider to be chaotic situations within relationships.  I think much of the mess can be accumulated from basic fears: being lonely, feeling like you can’t make it on your own and above all, impatience.  All of this is blinding to our common sense and priorities.  Being blind to such things can limit our ability to develop character, to forgive a past offense, to forge a relationship for the better interest of a child, and our better judgment that would allow us to make wiser decisions that effect not just our present wants, but our future needs and the needs of others that depend on us. 

  I’ve made the decision to live my life by the same rule that is upheld within my household:  “Clean up one mess before you make another.”