Raking Leaves
on a windy day

This is a true story of futility

Many moons ago, as a new and anxious homeowner, I was, how shall we say, eager. As many homeowners know, there is always something to do. And on this particular day, I dug in, raking leaves on the windiest of November mornings. My old seasoned neighbor, who saw me working furiously, gave me a sideways glance. What in the hell was I doing?

And this is the template by which so many of my life choices have been made. Digging in. Not looking up. Getting lost in the work. Not acknowledging myself or my very being. Sacrificing myself to systems, families, people, and positions. And when things start to go sideways, I’ve dug in even harder.

And that folks is how you spend 17 years in a career that you hate. And as an added bonus, it’s how you spend 25 years in a marriage, trying to “make it work” when the possibility of making it work never existed in the first place.

Do you do this too? I hope not to the same degree as me. The ultimate price we pay? Lost time, stolen possibilities, joy deferred. Is it all for naught? No, it’s not. But it sure as hell makes you feel wistful.

So, how is your commitment to futility? How is your commitment to “making it work”? Can I ask you to pay special attention to when you agree to that? Its not that you should always bolt for the door. But perhaps we can consider a life filled with much more ease, joy and glory? Can I ask you to demand more from yourself and for yourself?

Begin by asking this one simple question: What else is possible? I look forward to seeing how the universe answers that for you.