Friday, February 21, 2014

Clean Your Own Closet First

So I needed to find some information about a stake trek we had been on about six years ago, so a few months ago I tried to find the trek book that had been made with many photos and memories from that time.

I looked in all of the usual places that I thought I kept the book, but couldn't find it.

I tried to think back on my last recollections of having the book. I remembered that my friend at school was in charge of a trek a few years ago and I thought that I had taken the book to school and given to her to look through.

So after looking at my house, I thought I'd ask her. She like me, being in her 50's and all, kind of recollected a conversation but couldn't really remember anything more about the book. She said that she would check her house and also email a friend that ended up helping more with the trek and just ask if she happened to have it.

So a month went by and I didn't hear anything back from her so now after looking for the book for two months, and not wanting to forget about it again, I asked her one more time hoping that she had heard something from her friend. Nothing. I decided the ball was back in my court, and I needed to make a greater effort.

The funny thing is that a month ago when I asked her, a picture had come to my mind, of my front closet and the stack of coffee table books that I had stashed there when I was straightening up for company to come. I was at school and made a mental note to look there soon.

Well, I'm a busy girl and had glanced up there a time for two, but knew I'd have to get a chair and climb up and make a little more effort in my quest. So I, I put it off hoping that I could find the book an easier way; maybe someone else would find it for me.

So this morning, I returned to my quest to clean up my house after company from last week and before my next two weekends would involve more company. I set out to clean a little. This time when I opened the closet to get out the vacuum; I saw the stack of books on the top shelf. This time I went and got a chair and climbed up and there in the stack of books, was my trek book! It was in my own closet; not someone else's!!

I hurried and texted my friend and told her that I had found it so she wouldn't feel guilty that she had misplaced it. Then I realized what I had done.

It is easier sometimes to put the blame on others, let them do the work, than to clean out your own closet! I will try harder to remember this lesson; and to take a closer look into my own closet before putting the blame on others and asking them to do the cleaning!! (and/or the changing)