Let it snow…
I was just shoveling some snow, again, and rather enjoying it. When one has to do it first thing of a freeeeeezing morning in order to free the car from the icy clutches of accumulated ice, already late for work, it’s not a lot of laughs. But today I can take it gently. The teaching semester is over. And suddenly I feel I have a whole lot more energy than before.
And that is why, gentle readers, the blog has been a bit under groomed of late. But this will change.
Just as well I do have the energy though, since I tend to go and shovel out the 82 year old lady downhill of me, and she has two long paths to her doors, plus a driveway.
So I shoveled. The mailman came by looking harrassed. The garbage guys came by, icicles hanging off the fronts of their baseball hats, and they looked kind of peeved too. The snow plough man trundled past, and he looked positively ravaged with gloom.
But I had a different story to tell myself about the day, and I was happy.
on December 21st, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Yes, you saw the simple task of shoveling with new eyes!
Happiness is really all about perspective. And gratitude - being thankful that you had a shovel and the good health and the energy and freedom to help a neighbor. Sometimes it is the simplest things that grab hold of us and make us grateful to have this precious life of ours.
Your story reminds me of the Livingston Taylor song ” It’s My Job”. One of my favorites. Only in his view the mailman and the garbage guys and the snow plow man would have shared your perspective. Here’s hoping they might.
When I’m cleaning off my car today for the umpteenth time, I’ll focus on what a blessing it is to have a car and the muscles to clear it off. And I’ll smile. Thanks