Every day, twice a day I clean my barn stalls for my "girls", my mule, Della and my horse, Pearl.
First thing in the morning, I head out and take care of business while they eat their grain.
Because it's a simple task, done over and over again, repeatedly for at least 7 minutes per stall, it often gives my mind a chance to wander with a sense of stream-of-consciousness. It also spurns creativity, because I am open to ideas while completing something that is a habit and needs no extra laser focus.
It might be the same concept as Wax On Wax Off, that famous phrase uttered in the move The Karate Kid.
My menial task has given me the chance to have some deep internal ponderings while moving through the barn. I have written blogposts in my head, had aha moments about how to attend to a listing of mine; it has given me clarity on how to solve a problem that's boggled my mind because of many other nagging thoughts pushing it out of focus.
By having a singular repetitive task, not only can it be relaxing, in its motion of repetition, but it can often clear your mind of everything and be a zen moment!
I have had people tell me that they love to wash dishes, as it gives them a sense of peace, relaxation. Maybe it's the water running, I don't know, as this doesn't do it for me!! But then not everyone wants to clean stalls of poo every day, either!
Whatever you find it to be, I hope that you welcome it, and allow your creative juices to open up by embracing your own menial task that can create inspiration!
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