I learned something from my washing machine today: Don’t overload.

I’ve attempted to manage a household for decades.  I’ve done at least 7,488 loads of laundry, and I think I should have the technique down. But no. I get impatient, and I have very high expectations for my washing machine.

My tendency to stuff the machine with as much as possible  accelerated when I moved into a new home with a washing machine labeled  “Super High Capacity.” Wow. The possibility existed for washing every towel in the house at once. I crammed and jammed for months. Then last week, a faint aroma of burning rubber tickled my nostrils. With every load the smell became more intense. I finally called a repairman.

Yep. Motor burning out. Too much stuff. OVERLOAD.

I’m finding the same to be true in my life. At age 60, I have experience, education, and insight to draw on. I feel that I’ve finally reached “Super High Capacity.” So, I’m cramming and jamming all kinds of things into my day to be sure I live life with purpose, vision, vitality and productivity. I’m having the time of my life doing the things I believe I’m called to do. But this morning, I sensed a faint aroma of “burning rubber” ……

I’ve quit overloading the washing machine. I put in less clothes and more water, and voila, the machine spins, splashes, and even agitates with freedom. No more burning smell, although the repairman told me it was a matter of time before the little motor gives up completely.

I just know there’s a lesson in there somewhere.

by Leona Bergstrom, Director, Re-Ignite