If I just mark the page when I find the right quote.
If I just move the couches.
If I just start cleaning for Pesach now.
If I just fold the clothes right out of the dryer.
If I just eat one less slice of bread.
If I just exercise 40 minutes a day.
If I just throw out all the old clothes.
If I just say no without beating around the bush I won’t have ten Shabbos guests when I have strep throat.
If I just say the morning brachos before anything else.
If I just buy a pair of black shoes that matches everything.
If I just throw out the pens when they don’t work and stop hoping that time and a good rest will make them better. To realize there are just some things that are not going to work and to start replacing them with things that do.
If I just write down the numbers in my phone book instead of on scraps of paper.
If I just put up a pot of soup first thing in the morning. Then when someone comes home I’m ready and don’t spend at least ten minutes per person figuring out what to feed him. Then I don’t waste at least 70 minutes which always makes me nervous and unable to serve with a happy heart.
If I just go to sleep at ten.
If I just take the 12 giant grapefruits no one will ever eat out of the fruit bin in the fridge then there will be room for the apples and oranges.
If I just put the pickles and the olives straight into containers instead of waiting and worrying that all those things they say about leaving food in cans will happen.
If I just pin the socks.
If I just give the plastic tablecloth that extra check before I throw it away I’ll have all 24 pieces of my cutlery set.
If I just leave five minutes earlier I’ll avoid all the traffic.
If I just throw or give away ten things a day there’ll be no clutter.
If I just apologize.
If I just speak in low tones.

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Now look at the picture without the “just.”
I mark the page when I find the right quote. I move the couch and find all the missing shoes. I start cleaning for Pesach now.
I say no without beating around the bush and the family of ten goes to another home for Shabbos instead. At the other home the daughter of the guests meets her chassan and the match is made. I fold the clothes right out of the dryer. I walk 40 minutes a day. I leave five minutes early and miss all the traffic.
I put up a pot of soup at the beginning of the day and when everyone comes home I lay out the bowls and serve with a full heart. I pin all the socks. I apologize. I speak in low tones.
What a good life it is when we banish the just. —