Report From PIA – December 9
This morning I woke up and saw a slight coating of snow. Truthfully, my first reaction was to think, “This is nice; enough snow to change the landscape, but not enough to shovel.”
I love snow and how it transforms the garden and daily life, but my initial response was not wanting to be inconvenienced. Throughout the day I thought about this. Our culture encourages us to value effortlessness above everything else. Convenience stores, instant coffee, fast food, and commercials that promise easy-everything have lulled us into thinking that ease is all.
Perhaps the huge interest in low-maintenance gardening is really a desire not to be bothered by weeding or pruning. Those who want a quick, no-fail approach to insects or diseases (i.e. synthetic pesticides) are seeking not to be troubled by nature’s cycles.
Not to self: next time I wake up and wonder if the snow will: 1. Make me late to work, 2. Be deep enough to need shoveling, or 3. Change my plans and expectations; remember that life isn’t about convenience. Living concerns the entire experience: work, rest, upset, simplicity, effort, joy, and tragedy. Oh yes… and ease.
A snowfall alters our perspectives. It changes the landscape into black and white, and highlights shapes.
This morning's snow has altered my personal landscape as well, reminding me not to judge things by how easy they are.
