We just got two new sets of dishes: They are mostly all white, with a small amount of decoration. Our old sets were much decorated.

My revelation, while washing the dishes recently, was “Wow! Now I can see the spots I leave on the dishes, and now I can really get them clean.” There will be no more “You missed a spot, honey” from the wife.

Then came another revelation: If we kept our lives as “white” as possible, wouldn’t that make it easier to see our transgressions, and then, perhaps, do something about them?

When the old dishes were dirty from food, I looked as best as I could for the stains. I scrubbed those dishes without really knowing whether I was getting the stains off. It wasn’t my fault. I just couldn’t tell how dirty they were. With the new dishes, it’s easy to see where the stains are, and to rectify the situation.

I am really very happy I can easily spot the stains on my new dishes. It gives me hope to think that if I identify with my new cereal bowl, I will be able to spot potential transgressions, such as saying inappropriate things about my fellow man and woman. I think the reason I never identified with my old cereal bowl was that I couldn’t see the leaves for the trees. That is, I was so distracted by the decorations on that bowl that I could not even perceive of making the bowl really clean — and, in fact, I often “gave up” and decided that my wife would find the stains for me.

Where is this thing going? It seems I like to ask that question.

Here’s the thing. We are not cereal bowls, but we can attempt to keep our “decorations,” namely distractions, to a minimum. We can then better focus on the way our behaviors leave a residue on our “personal stock.” If we can see that residue clearly, perhaps we can face it, and will be prompted to scrub it clean.

I urge you to buy dishes that are mostly white, so you, too, can scrub away with pleasure — knowing that you can and will be successful. And if you identify with your new cereal bowl, perhaps you will find yourself changing for the best.

At least your spouse will admire your new dishwashing skills.

Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com