Do All Your Work Wholeheartedly by Amanda Huber

I have a confession to make. I love to sweep. I have already swept the leaves off my deck and walkway at least 20 times this season. I have hardwood floors, so I sweep those as often as possible too. And if someone happens to track in some dirt from outside - Hooray! I get to sweep again. Sound crazy? Probably so, but there's a reason for my seeming madness. I received the gift of a "No Ordinary Broom".

My broom is handpainted and signed by the artist, creator, and all around fantastic person, Helen Lampkin. Each broom she makes is a unique, useful work of art with a simple yet profound message: Life doesn't have to be ordinary. Her painted patterns are as unique and spirited as Helen herself with names like "Simply Cheetah", "Sophisticate", and "Circle Circle Dot Dot". She even has a "Holiday" broom!

Now, I must admit, when Helen first told me she was going to make me a No Ordinary Broom (I chose the pattern "Ashley" in red) I thought to myself... "Well, I just bought a broom, but I'll hang my No Ordinary Broom up in my kitchen for display". After I received the broom I even told Helen I didn't want to use it and mess it up, but she said I had to use is - that was the whole point. Finally one day it was handier than my other "ordinary" broom, so I used it and guess what? It made me smile!

Here I was doing a chore and feeling like it was some sort of treat. The more I used it, the more I loved it. My new urge to sweep has now expanded to the point where I pull out my No Ordinary Broom when company is over just to show it off.

After using my broom for almost a year now I finally "get it". I've realized that sometimes it can take something very simple to make a big impact in your life. Giving an everyday chore a twist of the extraordinary can be just the thing for adding a little more enjoyment to your life. Is the broom magical? No, but the way I thought about the chore changed because of it.

I began thinking of other chores I don't normally enjoy and wondering how I could change my perception of them. A lot of us do this at work and probably don't realize it. How many of us have photos on our desk or plants in colorful pots or even little figurines? Is this another way to remind ourselves that our life is not about what we do but how we do it and with what kind of attitude?

If you want to start simple like me, you can purchase one of Helen's masterpieces online here: http://www.noordinarybroom.com/

Now I've got to go - I'm off to find a bubble machine to run in the kitchen next time I have to do the dishes...