Things I Have Learned - For the common good

Today’s Wisdom: “If you’re not making someone else’s life better, then you’re wasting your time.” Will Smith

By Bill D. Ward

With winter soon upon us, we all might be looking forward to the next five months with dread. However, other than a general dislike for winter, it really isn’t such a traumatic season anymore. 

Times have changed, and at least with winter, we have been the beneficiaries. The snowplow that covers our street is usually past long before I rise in the morning. My blower makes quick work of the snow on my driveway and gives me just enough exposure to doing guy stuff to keep me happy. 

That wasn’t always the case. Back in the days of our pioneers, there were no plows. When it snowed, every able bodied man and boy grabbed a shovel and joined the crews shoveling the streets. In the rural areas it was the same, just with longer roads to clear. While I imagine there was much complaining, they did it.

Can you imagine today getting an email after a storm and learning that all the snowplows in town were broken and we were on our own? I think we could survive it. All the guys with pickups would show up, someone would organize coffee and donuts, and we would take care of each other. 

One of the things I have learned is that we humans love a challenge. I think the people in my town would handle it all just fine, probably even having some fun in the process. We see that ‘rising to the challenge’ spirit often, certainly in emergencies, but also with benefit events, volunteerism, even in the management of our churches. People step up and make things work. It happens when community means more than just geography, where it implies mutual support.

With winter, I am thankful the good old days are over. But I am even more thankful to live in a rural community among people who join together for a common good. I’m just sayin’.