January 03, 2014

Clean Desk


Clean Desk
By John R. Greenwood

It’s not much. It’s one of those desks that comes in a box and requires a handful of swear words to put together. The best part is, it’s mine, and I just found it again. It took a week’s vacation to get to it. There were holiday work stoppages, snow storms, and other household commitments to contend with first. After the Christmas decorations were back in the attic and the pile of books and journals that seem to grow by the day were sorted and put away, I tackled the seemingly insurmountable goal of clearing my desk. It was time to grow up and write like a grownup at a desk and not like the undisciplined couch sloth I’d become. Sitting on the couch with my feet up on the coffee table and the laptop on my knees was amateurish and counterproductive. I promised myself that 2014 would find me writing more seriously. I also needed a kick in the pants if I wanted to accomplish something more this year. Organization is not my thing. Ideas and day dreaming are. Since I’ve been receiving AARP mailings for more than a decade, I felt growing up was long overdue. I will do my best to stay focused and productive this year. I can’t promise that I won’t be pulled off course by the occasional shiny object or colorful sunset but for at least the last three days of my vacation I will do my best. As I sit here typing and procrastinating the removal of the shin deep snow outside I can’t help but reflect on the past few years and what writing a blog has provided me. I have made friends throughout the world. I have been encouraged, inspired, and embraced by some of the most kind and giving people that world has to offer. One repetitive theme over the last few years is rebirth of the spirit. I have found confirmation that age is physical not mental. You can’t change the inevitable but you can change the view. If you don’t want to seize up like the Tin Man, don’t just stand in the rain and complain about it, grab an umbrella and do your best Gene Kelly imitation. It’s a lot easier to say than do and there will be days when just sitting on the back steps is a better choice, just don’t give up. Neutral is not as good as forward and high gear is better than low gear but reverse can be tough on the soul. If you find yourself there, start by cleaning the desk no matter how far beneath the pile it is. 

Happy New Year everyone! 

5 comments:

  1. I love this post, John. My desk-cleaning is nudging me and the beginning of a (very welcome) new year encourages organizing and tidying. Soon I will follow your example. Ummm....maybe tomorrow? hee hee. I look forward to another year of sharing glimpses and viewpoints with you, my friend. Thanks for your support. You are a kind, good man. I most enjoy your walks with camera around Saratoga Springs!

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  2. Happy New Year, John! So good to see you again. And it really is nice, isn't it, to have made friends from around the world.

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  3. Desks are the litter boxes of our mind. They serve as leverage until we decide that our litter just is not that but creative thinking -- glad to see that clean desk -- now what will you do? Maybe look for all that wonderful info you took off and start the pile all over. Maybe -- at least that is what I would do.

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    1. That's exactly what I'll do. I will take another picture in a week or two.

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  4. Now see, productivity hits NOT just at the desk - let it spill over onto the couch, on our walks, in the car, on vacation. Yes, let that desk look pretty for one day… then truly get busy :) Happy New Year.

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