My Beautiful Word of Honor

Would you believe me if I told you I love to pay bills? Truly, I do! But there was a time I dreaded the job. That is, until my friend told me about a book on how to make it a delightful event. What? How could that be? Still, since Barbara seemed always bathed in beauty, giving every situation a splash of loveliness, I wanted to know her secret. So I bought my own copy.

Written by Alexandra Stoddard, the book was titled Living a Beautiful Life. It made me look at hearth & home in a new way & helped me find beauty in the mundane. I haven’t seen that book for years though I know it’s in a box somewhere. My memories are sketchy after so long. Let’s see…a touch of yellow in every room? Hmm. But there was something I put into practice – paying my bills in a beautiful way. Making it a special time.

Impossible, you say? Not so fast! First, I set up my desk or writing area with:

• A favorite pen of good weight & elegance for ease of use;

• Charming postage stamps, pleasing to the eye;

• Pretty checks that made signing my name a pleasure;

• Lovely note cards (or greeting cards) kept at-the-ready.

Some of my note cards at-the-ready.

Then it was time to put on the kettle & brew a cup of tea served to self in a gorgeous cup. Or pour coffee into a mug worthy of wonder. Didn’t hurt to have a couple cookies on a plate for a snack break. (All that math!) Or music in the background? A fragrant candle burning?

Photo by Hjalte Gregersen on Unsplash

In that lovely environment, paying bills was a pleasure. A treat to be enjoyed. Back then, it changed my world.

My quest for loveliness in the bill-paying task has now morphed into the pleasure of keeping my word. Every time I use a service, like electricity from PG&E, I know it’s on loan from the company. Entrusted to me up-front until I reimburse them. When I do, I’m keeping my word & that makes me very happy.

“Thanks for another month of heat or cooling or juice for the microwave, PG&E!”

So this is my new style of paying bills. When it’s time, I set up my station rather like days of old. On the table to the right of my computer, an antique plate holds crispy toast covered with apricot jam. Nearby, a china cup is filled with steaming Cinnamon Spice Tea. The aromas tickle my nose & the radio plays softly in the background. I begin tap-tapping on the keyboard.

These days I only pay a few bills by check, but I still use an elegant pen & pretty postage stamps. My current checks are charmers, though I feel a bit of a dinosaur when writing one out. Still, I sign with a flourish & love the wonderful feeling of keeping my beautiful word of honor.

Taking another sip of tea, I smile at my accomplishment.

NOTE: Living a Beautiful Life by Alexandra Stoddard remains in print & has been updated for changing times.