Before the Snow Flies

I just came home for winter break to this list:

· Move the cows

· Repair the windbreaks

· Drain the tanks

· Check the antifreeze

· Fill the holes in the chicken coop

· Chop wood

· Plug in the tank heaters

· Locate the heat lamps

I look at and dread at all that needs to be done before the snow flies. There seems like so much to do in so little time.

As I sat at the table this morning, I came up with every excuse I could to get out of doing my portion of the chores for winter break. As I came up with more reasons, the more I started to realize that I did not want to do any of this when the weather gets bad. I realized I should probably put the effort into figuring out when and how to do it rather than how to con my brothers into doing it for me. I would love to put off my portion, but I know it is better to get it done now than freezing my fingers when the wind was up, and the temperatures were down.

So, I decided to set to work on the chicken coop. As I worked at filling holes, I got to thinking. Why don’t I adopt this thought process into the rest of my life? It seems like I am always putting things off until the snow flies in my life. I have a terrible habit of not being ready for what is coming. I think there are many people that could adopt this thought. How about we all start preparing for what is to come before it actually hits. Who knows if this will actually even be a harsh winter, but I would rather be ready for it than wishing I would have done something differently.

Of course, I still want to make my brothers do my work, but it is so much better if everyone helps out. More hands make less work and teamwork is important to get the list done. Again, this applies to life. Find yourself some people you know you can rely on (even if they are your brothers) to help you out when the snow does start coming down.

No one wants to be stuck in a blizzard of life wishing they would have found the heat lamps earlier. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst.