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Quote of the Day: Helen Keller

March 8th, 2010

I long to accomplish great and noble tasks,
but it is my chief duty and joy to accomplish humble tasks
as though they were great and noble.

~Helen Keller


I thought of the earthworm when I read this quote. Always working away under the ground, not often seen or appreciated. I can really relate to this quote, as an introvert I’m not one to volunteer for those out in the open tasks. I find much more satisfaction and reward in working behind the scenes, doing those jobs others often find repetitive & boring. Gardening is my favorite humble task, when planting, raking and weeding you can let your mind wander while your fingers and hand work away. You get a deep sense of satisfaction at a job well done and the bounty and beauty from you garden, and these they are often only enjoyed by you.

What’s your favorite humble task?

13 Comments to “Quote of the Day: Helen Keller”
  1. Frugal Trenches on March 8, 2010 at 6:29 am

    Believe it or not, cleaning the bathrooms. Makes me feel like a houswife of the 50’s! lol
    .-= Frugal Trenches´s last blog ..International Women’s Day =-.

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  2. Christine on March 8, 2010 at 9:46 am

    While perhaps not the same thing, knitting and spinning yarn. I put a lot of effort into something as simple as a hat or pair of socks, and realize the effort that once went into things as commonplace as these everyday items.
    .-= Christine´s last blog ..What do do with all this wire? =-.

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  3. Missy on March 8, 2010 at 9:55 am

    I love that quote. My favorite humble task, doing laundry. I get annoyed that it takes so long, but I love the smells and folding a mess of clothes into a neat pile and putting them away. I always do laundry on Sundays and feel like once it’s done I am finally ready for the week.

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  4. Amy on March 8, 2010 at 11:09 am

    Ironing. I love the smell of freshly ironed clothes that I have sprayed with lavender water then ironed. Even better~ if they have hung out on the line to dry first. Lovely.

    Reply to Amy's comment

  5. sarah on March 8, 2010 at 11:24 am

    What a great quote and great post. My favorite humble task would be making the beds & opening the shades in the morning . To me if the beds are made and the daylight is coming through the windows, I know my day is off to a good start.
    .-= sarah´s last blog ..Nasturtiums =-.

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    • Susy on March 8, 2010 at 5:58 pm

      I do love opening the shades in the morning, making the bed on the other hand isn’t done to perfection here at Chiot’s Run.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  6. Mrs. Mac on March 8, 2010 at 11:26 am

    Favorite humble task .. making bread. Starting with a basic recipe .. tweaking it and claiming it as our ‘family’s recipe. One more ;) Carving out our forest garden with little store bought resources.
    .-= Mrs. Mac´s last blog ..You, Me … and the Kitchen Sink =-.

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    • Susy on March 8, 2010 at 5:59 pm

      Making bread is wonderful!

      Reply to Susy's comment

  7. Kelly on March 8, 2010 at 11:38 am

    I enjoy a lot of my humble tasks, but top of the list is hanging laundry on the line. I’m not even sure why I love it so much, but I do. Next is baking bread.
    .-= Kelly´s last blog ..House and Home (Eating Us Out Of) and More Bread =-.

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  8. sweetlife on March 8, 2010 at 3:35 pm

    Great quote–I would say laundry..doing some right now..the smell of clean towels ahh..

    sweetlife
    .-= sweetlife´s last blog ..Feeling better, Sopping Up, Moving and Thanks… =-.

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    • Susy on March 8, 2010 at 6:08 pm

      Sounds like laundry is a popular choice.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  9. MAYBELLINE on March 9, 2010 at 12:29 am

    Gardening. Hands down.
    .-= MAYBELLINE´s last blog ..Garden Update =-.

    Reply to MAYBELLINE's comment

  10. Kathy on March 26, 2010 at 10:41 pm

    I enjoy doing laundry. It is one of the tasks that don’t require a lot of thought, but do require your attention. Everything smells good, and the accomplishment is wonderful watching that mountain dissappear…

    Reply to Kathy's comment

About

This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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