This time of year, when the snow melts and leaves behind piles of dirt and trash, always gets me a little twitchy. I'm that crazy person walking down the street in my pajamas picking up trash and cursing. With the crazy winds we had last week, everyone's trash barrels (including mine) tipped over and trash and recycling blew everywhere. So each day I try to get out and pick up a little more to quiet the voices in my head that make me bananas.
Since we moved to town, I've noticed a ridiculous amount of Bud Light cans thrown to the side of the road in our neighborhood. Every time I see them, I can't help but yell WHO IS THIS CRAZY PERSON WHO THROWS BUD LIGHT CANS OUT OF THEIR CAR WINDOW?!?! I've always called this person the Bud Light Bandit. And I've always wanted to pound the crap out of them if I ever find out who they are.
The other day I was driving down the streets near my house and realized that the Bud Light Bandit has returned, in full force. I can't blame it on the wind, or the melting snow. These blue cans just seem to be mocking me, and testing my patience. But I took a deep breath and realized that maybe these cans are teaching me that I don't have any control (duh), and no matter how many Bud Light cans get dumped all around me, the best I can do is get out there and pick some up and keep going. There are always going to be more cans. I have no control over the Bud Light Bandit, just like I have no control over pretty much everything else that life throws my way. It's my reaction that I can control, and only that.*
(*but if I do find you BLB, I will still want to kick your ass)
3 comments:
Just look at it as monk work, like pulling weeds and sweeping walks and washing dishes. It's your desire and commitment to keep your area clean and beautiful, so it's your responsibility. The BLB obviously has no such commitment! :-) (Also, I live with a BLB and he's the biggest slob I've ever known.)
great article!
I appreciate the perspective on finding peace amidst chaos.
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