Well the big pile of mulch arrived yesterday. At first we just stared at it. Then we walked around it to take it all in. It smelled. It smelled of rot, cedar, and manure. I’m surprised the neighbors stayed indoors (written with sarcasm). It didn’t look THAT big. We could take on this pile of mulch. It didn’t hurt that our strong, strapping twenty-something son showed up to change the oil in his car and felt sorry for us. He went home and brought over another wheelbarrow and helped for almost two hours.
Two hours later, after “one shovelful at a time”, the pile looked about the same size! I was starting to feel overwhelmed.
It’s all a matter of perspective. If I choose to look at the areas where we applied the mulch, it looks beautiful. Almost like professional landscaping. Almost. If I choose to look at the big pile of mulch still left, I feel defeated. When I choose to dwell on how stiff and sore I feel this morning after shoveling, pushing the wheelbarrow, and raking, I think “I’m way too old for this”.
I have another “big pile of mulch” I’m dealing with in my life right now. It’s fifty pounds of overweight. I’m trying to get rid of it “one shovelful at a time.” I’ve been attacking this pile for a month. So far, seven pounds are gone. Its one day at a time, one moment at a time, one meal at a time, one pound at a time. Its one prayer at a time. A big pile remains.
So, I have to keep a good perspective. It’s easy to be overwhelmed with the pounds still to lose. A lot of hard work and sweating will be involved. When I choose to look at what seven pounds lost has done for me, its a beautiful thing. Clothes are too big, I have more energy, I’m eating healthier, I feel better.
Here’s to the start of another great day of shoveling big piles of mulch “one shovelful at a time”. I think getting rid of one pile will help me get rid of the other. Lots of hard work and sweating is involved. Anyone want to come and help?
Happy Sweating,
Vicki
P.S. Remember: sweat is just FAT crying!
lifefullyinhabited 
Mar 23, 2012 @ 06:17:29
We all have that pile of mulch sitting in our lives. We try to pretend that it isn’t there. We stand in front of it thinking that people can’t see it. But it’s there. It’s big and it smells. It’s when I step aside and allow the Master Gardener to come in to give me the strength to distribute the load that it starts to lighten. He comes alongside of me with His wheelbarrow and shows me how and where to distribute the load. If I let Him do His work the results are beautiful. Fruit, vegetables, flowers that blossom and bloom. All have a trace of the Master’s touch. So, that pile of mulch that’s stinking up our lives can become a beautiful plant that blesses other people with the beauty of the Master Gardener shining through.
Mar 23, 2012 @ 07:59:49
Beautifully written, Sylvia! Thanks for the encouragement today.
Feb 11, 2013 @ 00:43:29
You can definitely see your skills within the paintings you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. Always go after your heart. “If you feel yourself falling, let go and glide.” by Steffen Francisco