This morning I woke up to about 5” of fresh snow blanketing the world. As beautiful as the snow was, it was covering the driveway and deck and porch and walks. And it had to be removed, so out I went to take care of it.
I shoveled the easy stuff first, the sidewalk, the front porch, the back deck and the back path. Then I started on the driveway.
Our driveway is about 70 feet long, and can fit 3 cars side-by-side at the widest part. It’s gravel, and part of the challenge of shoveling is to leave the gravel on the driveway, and only remove the snow. So off I trudged to the bottom of the driveway to get rid of the difficult part first, the sludge the snow plows pushed all over the end of the driveway.
I cleared out the mailbox and the entrance to the driveway and started working my way up hill. My back was starting to hurt, and I was thinking of going inside and getting a drink and putting my back massager on. I am in my 50s, you know, and things ache.
So I looked up the driveway and thought that if I just cleared enough for one car, that would be good enough. We would be able to get in and out fine. And I contemplated doing “just enough” to be useful.
But then I realized that I’m just not a “good enough” type of person. And there’s nothing wrong with being a “good enough” type of person. If I had cleared one car width, the driveway would have been perfectly functional.
But I realized, I’ve always been “do it my very best” kind of person. And when I don’t do my best, I feel guilty. I’m not happy with me. I use this work ethic in every aspect of my life – my career, my play, and my relationships.
So what did I do today? What else could I do? I shoveled the entire driveway from top to bottom and side to side. I did my very best, and I’m happy.
And achy. Time for some tea and some heat on my back.
What kind of person are you?
johnmccarthyrealtor says
Hi Kat,
Just found this on fb. Great job! Hope all is well and 2013 is starting out happy and healthy!
Kat's Homes says
John- Hi back to you! 2013 is great so far – hope it is for you as well!!
Cat says
Oh, i’m definitely a good enough type of person, LOL. Life is too short. i;m too much of a hedonist to make myself hurt when I could have easily quit, or maybe bought myself better equipment. Or hired a kid. 🙂
Kat's Homes says
Nothing wrong with that! Sometimes I wish I wasn’t so driven to finish everything to the nth degree. But we are who we are!