April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
PERSPECTIVE
Bonked again
Yesterday, while relaxing with a cup of coffee, I calculated the amount of hours and effort I would need to invest in order to clean my dirty windows.
Remember the V-8 commercial where the person gets bonked on the forehead? Whenever I spend too much time focusing on one area of my life to the point where my concern is out of balance, I get bonked. It is as if God says, "Remember, I am in charge. You are the steward."
If I fail to heed the first few bonks, I am usually bonked so hard, I lose my balance. Unfortunately, this has happened more times than I'd like to admit.
A while ago, we decided to buy furniture for a small room next to our kitchen. While raising our four sons, this room had only a rug on the floor. We called it "the wrestling room."
I went to a nearby furniture store, but couldn't decide what to buy, because I liked everything. I returned to the store so many times the entire sales team knew my name. I once lay awake all night thinking about which couch I should buy. I knew this was ridiculous -- and then I got my bonk.
Unable to sleep, I reached for my Bible and read in Corinthians about the importance of focusing on eternal things - not temporary, ephemeral things. Eternal things are heard throughout eternity. Ephemeral things are here today and gone tomorrow - like my new home decor.
The next day, I headed back to the furniture store. Upon entering, the sales people said, "Hello again, Mrs. Bonanno."
Embarrassed, I politely forced a smile and quickly picked out a lovely couch, coordinating pillows, an ottoman and two chairs. With relief and great pleasure, I handed the saleswoman my credit card.
I recently heard David Brooks, a writer for The New York Times, speaking about living a life of consequence and the importance of building "eulogy virtues" instead of "resume virtues." I contemplated what I'd hope to hear folks say at my funeral and knew with certainty that "adept at speedy furniture selection" would not be on their list.
My nephew recommended Michael Pollan's book, "Second Nature." It was a hard read for me, as I am a slow reader and spent a bunch of time looking up the definition of words in the dictionary.
Pollan, an avid gardener, advocates "consulting the genius of nature" and planting what naturally grows where you live in order to be most fruitful. I realize the author was referring to gardening, but applying that wisdom more broadly to a fruitful life resonates with me.
What if I spend the rest of my life doing things God has naturally gifted me to do in order to bring joy, peace and eternal benefit to myself and those around me? What if I minimize my attention to much of the ephemeral stuff the world deems important?
Sounds like a good plan for stewardship of my time, talent and treasure. Now, about those dirty windows....
(Mrs. Bonanno attends St. Mary's parish in Albany. She can be reached at [email protected].) [[In-content Ad]]
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