The Joys of Raking

While I am so tempted to leave this post blank ('cause let's be real, what could possibly be joyful about raking?  Unless you consider it doing penance in some sort of religious sense?)  But raking, like mowing, is one of the unavoidable tasks of yard maintenance which can seem like thankless work.  Whenever I rake, however, I remember a story from one of Leo Buscaglia's programs on PBS that I heard as a child (yes, I am just that old, and no, we did not have cable TV so there was nothing better on).

In this particular story, Leo talks about teaching his students during a pretty fall day and being inspired to bring all the leaves inside the house.  At the time it sounded like so much fun, bring all the leaves inside for jumping into and rolling around in.  However, when I think of it today, all I can imagine is the mess that it would make and how long it would take to clean up.  The difference?  Attitude.  If we imagine something to be undesirable and a real chore, well, it will be.  If we can look more at the positive aspects (exercise, fresh air, how nice it will look when done) then it won't be as difficult to get motivated.  I strongly suggest raking with someone else, a family member, gullible friend, etc.  Talking during any unpleasant task always seem to make it go faster and you feel accountable to finish the job when someone else is with you.  An ipod also makes a good companion (plus it can block out the sounds of your neighbor's high powered leaf blower that makes you a bit green with envy).