I have to confess: I enjoy shoveling snow.
I live in Southwest Michigan, so thanks to “the Lake” (i.e., Lake Michigan), we’re one of few spots in the world that enjoys lake-effect snow. The snow often falls in big, billowy flakes and sits light on the ground. Shoveling only becomes difficult when large quantities fall, when the street plow deposits compacted snow at the end of the driveway or when a real storm drops the wet, heavy flakes.
I live in Southwest Michigan, so thanks to “the Lake” (i.e., Lake Michigan), we’re one of few spots in the world that enjoys lake-effect snow. The snow often falls in big, billowy flakes and sits light on the ground. Shoveling only becomes difficult when large quantities fall, when the street plow deposits compacted snow at the end of the driveway or when a real storm drops the wet, heavy flakes.
It’s a chore, but it could be worse. The secret is to stay on top of it.
By clearing snow right away and by clearing it fully, I keep it from building up. Allowing snow to accumulate in tire-track mounds or at the edges of the walk, over time, produces tripping hazards and encroaches on my ability to get around. It gets in my way and impacts my family.
Keeping the paths clear allows me to travel unencumbered.
Practicing forgiveness follows the same strategy. By taking care of issues and concerns as they occur, before they get packed in and accumulate, I travel unencumbered by anger, stress, and bitterness. I handle big storms better because I’ve practiced so many times on the small snow showers. I request help as needed, but I accept that I must initiate the effort for my sake and for those nearest to me.
One other thing, like lake-effect snow, events needing my forgiveness happen on their own schedule. I may see that conditions are such that something may happen, but I don’t know exactly where or how much until it happens.
I just have to be ready.
Quote
Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness. Marianne Williamson
Web
Here’s a brief article on Preparing to Forgive (read now).
Also, for those of you in the Greater Kalamazoo area, here’s an informative chart on snow accumulation – plus access to data from previous years (visit now).
By clearing snow right away and by clearing it fully, I keep it from building up. Allowing snow to accumulate in tire-track mounds or at the edges of the walk, over time, produces tripping hazards and encroaches on my ability to get around. It gets in my way and impacts my family.
Keeping the paths clear allows me to travel unencumbered.
Practicing forgiveness follows the same strategy. By taking care of issues and concerns as they occur, before they get packed in and accumulate, I travel unencumbered by anger, stress, and bitterness. I handle big storms better because I’ve practiced so many times on the small snow showers. I request help as needed, but I accept that I must initiate the effort for my sake and for those nearest to me.
One other thing, like lake-effect snow, events needing my forgiveness happen on their own schedule. I may see that conditions are such that something may happen, but I don’t know exactly where or how much until it happens.
I just have to be ready.
Quote
Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness. Marianne Williamson
Web
Here’s a brief article on Preparing to Forgive (read now).
Also, for those of you in the Greater Kalamazoo area, here’s an informative chart on snow accumulation – plus access to data from previous years (visit now).
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