cleaner glass

Sometimes you look through your old dusty windows and get used to the view.  You stop noticing that there is a little tear in the screen, and that there just might be spiderwebs in the metal tracks.  You forget that with a little cleaning you could get a better view and a clearer picture.  You live with it.



For 18 months I have been looking through a dirty window that has been laying right up against my mirror.  Not enough exercise. Too many meals on the road between work and school.  Not enough introspection.  Not enough honesty.  With myself.  I have been living to get things done.  To get through my classes.  To meet the basic needs of my family.  To meet deadlines.  Slowly the dirt and dust started to cloud my vision, and I forgot to look at (and for) myself.  I was bad to myself.  Even harmful.

Yesterday we had a window installer out to measure our house for new windows, and while we were standing in my bedroom talking about which windows we wanted to put in, I was completely distracted for a minute, thinking about this parallel. 

New windows.  New vision.  New recommittment to myself and my health.  I am feeling good, having spent these past 6 weeks installing a much better window to look at myself through.

17 comments

LisAway | September 10, 2010 at 12:16 AM

What a great analogy! It's so true that we become blind to things that keep us from seeing clearly. Wait, that sounds funny. :) Really, though. I am in the slow process of removing the grunge from my windows*, too. You are an inspiration.

(*not my real windows. I wash those a couple of times a year. :)

Kazzy | September 10, 2010 at 12:19 AM

You are a better woman (cleaner) than I am), Lisa.

LisAway | September 10, 2010 at 12:34 AM

If you lived in Poland and saw people EVERYWHERE doing it before Easter and Christmas you would be guilted into doing it too. :)

Lola Sharp | September 10, 2010 at 5:54 AM

I'm not taking very good care of myself either. Too many hours sitting, eating Oreos and Doritos and coffee (w/ cream and sugar!). Too much stress.

I love this comparison...and I need to clean my metaphoric and real windows.

As always, I love your honesty and thought process.
Love,
Lola

Luann | September 10, 2010 at 8:09 AM

Beautiful analogy. And one I need to put into practice.

CiCi | September 10, 2010 at 8:30 AM

Great way to look at taking care of yourself. Truly honest and committed to begin the care.

Jenny P. | September 10, 2010 at 8:41 AM

A third of the way through the post, I was feeling inspired to clean the window above my kitchen sink that is full of spiderwebs and pollen and dust...

Then I finished and I feel inspired on a much deeper level.

mermaid gallery | September 10, 2010 at 9:18 AM

I can see clearly now..a great Carole King song and I bet you could sing it really well too!.....

Welcome to the Garden of Egan | September 10, 2010 at 9:26 AM

Inspirational! I love it.
I need to go clean me some glass right now.
Thanks.

Bossy Betty | September 10, 2010 at 12:02 PM

So true! Sometimes just cleaning the glasses on your face can be enlightening!

Kim | September 10, 2010 at 4:29 PM

can I just say WOW! What a great perspective. I especially know what you mean about the windows and how they do give us a clearer perspective as we clear away the dust and dirt.

I too spent years saying when I am done with . . .I will get . . . now that I am done with . . . I am still waite to get to . . .thanks for the new vision.


You're AWESOME!

Kimberly Vanderhorst | September 10, 2010 at 4:48 PM

Oh I love this. Love. The darkest times in life are when that window becomes throughly grime smeared. Mine could do with some cleaning...

Connie | September 10, 2010 at 5:45 PM

With window cleaning, not only can you see out more clearly, but others can see the real you more clearly!

Lookin' good!

Robin | September 10, 2010 at 11:51 PM

Beautiful thoughts. Beautiful you.

Dedee | September 11, 2010 at 6:36 PM

I need to do this.

Jenny | September 13, 2010 at 6:08 AM

Great insight, your really inspiring me this morning.

Heidi | September 20, 2010 at 12:55 PM

You make such great connections in your mind! Love the pretties in the window.