carthartic bubbles

our dishwasher broke. um... like... 10 years ago. we never fixed or replaced it. it just sits there not working, but, not really taking up space b/c it is like, under the counter. now, we wash our dishes by hand. it's usually not a major task, but sometimes it's kind of a hassle b/c it has to be done. you can only leave the dishes for so long before you are out of dishes or overrun by varmits. it is a hassle, but sometimes it is kind of enjoyable. there is something about doing the work with your own two hands that provides a sense of satisfaction you don't get loading & emptying the dishwasher.

the sense of satisfaction gained through doing something on one's own is a sense that is vastly absent from life today. we have machines for every task, including entertainment. kids aren't even asked to entertain themselves on a trip to the grocery store -- there's a dvd player in the car. our sense of entitlement is enhanced, and our senst of satisfaction decreased, and we don't understand why we aren't happy. we think if we add more stuff to our lives and have more tasks done for us, that we will be happy. but, it's the opposite, really. we'd be immeasurably more happy if we did more for ourselves and had fewer possessions.

well, i would be, at least. this is why i wash my own dishes - the cartharsis of the bubble.