Sweeping up the dirt

Do you ever feel like you lose track of yourself? Like anyone else, I have days when I'm cranky for no apparent reason. There's a line from Bruce Springsteen's "Streets of Philadelphia" that often comes to me in those moments: "I was bruised and battered - I couldn't tell what I felt - I was unrecognizable to myself." Over the years, I've found that the best cure for that mixed-up mood is a basic chore like sweeping the floor. It needs to be something that engages my body but doesn't require too much thought. By the time the bits of dust and trash are gathered into the dustpan, I'm usually able to see clearly whatever has been bothering me. Sometimes I'm even able to imagine a good solution for it. Just like counting out prayers on the beads of a rosary, the simple repetition of moving the broom creates a space for God to speak to my heart.