One of my favorite comedians, Louis CK, has a wonderful bit which pretty much sums up the way this crazy world seems to go these days.
He outlines all the wonderful advances we have achieved as humans, then points out how we seem to do nothing except complain. Everything is great; nobody’s happy, he exclaims.
I thought of this last week while I sat inside watching two massive snowstorms turn the week into one long vacation for so many people.
Maybe I am just spoiled because I work in higher education and have the opportunity to get some free days off when we have some crazy weather event like we just had.
Regardless, I don’t understand how people could not have had fun during this snowpocolypse. Or snowmageddon. Or SnOMG. Or Snowtorious B.I.G. How can you not love something that spawns names like that?
A week’s worth of crazy snow just brings out the kid in me. Snow storms are one thing that should never be approached from an adult perspective. Well, unless you have to do an important job during the storm. Otherwise, drop the maturity and have fun.
I didn’t go outside and play in the snow a whole lot, but I also didn’t sit around and complain about the whole thing. Even if you had to go into work, the sheer insanity that ensued because of the storm had to entertain you at least a little bit.
Sometimes I think we get a little too wrapped up in making sure we shovel or snowblow as often as we can and who can claim which parking spot on the street instead of simply taking it easy and riding out the storm.
I know clearing snow can sometimes bring people together and really enjoyed seeing that happen in my neighborhood. Personally, I chose to wait out the storm until I started even trying to move snow.
The way I looked at it, we had everything we needed inside the house. We only ran low on a few items, but never really got in a desperate state for anything so I didn’t even think about digging out the car until I had to.
Instead, I played board games and napped and simply looked out the window in awe at what was taking place. I took a ton of video to show that the snow really did come up to the top of our 42-inch fence. When the time came, I shoveled and got back to relaxing and having fun as soon as I could.
We don’t get storms like this very often so I try not to stress out. So what if we miss some work or have to bundle up to go outside? It’s not like we go through this every winter. Of course, I also have an amazing wife who made brownies and chili and homemade soup and homemade bread. That kind of helps.
So the next time we do get socked like this – and you know it’s going to happen sometime in the next five years or so – let’s promise to not act like it’s the most horrible thing to happen and enjoy the ride.
Remember, everything is great so let’s take the time to be happy.