I was on my way to accomplish a chore – really, a chore. Another to-do item on my list and this one cost me not just time but money as well. I’ll be honest and admit, it made me a tad cranky.
On top of that, it wasn’t my kind of day weather-wise. Overcast, drab skies as far as the eye could see. Lack of sunshine muted everything from the coats of many colors displayed on the trees to my mood. Sometimes days like this just make me want to cocoon inside my comfy, cozy home not wanting to venture out. Yes, it was that kind of day.
But this chore needed accomplished ASAP. So I put on my ‘happy face,’ grabbed my purse, and headed out. Even with subdued surroundings though, I couldn’t help but notice the fall foliage around me as I drove.
I arrived at the place where the chore needed completed and wouldn’t you know it? Those confounded computers that held the key to accomplishing my task decided to be finicky. Just my luck. The lady who helped me tried everything and it took much longer than necessary to accomplish the task.
But I made a choice. Either I could continue being grumpy and complain which wouldn’t help the situation and would probably make that business’ employee grouchy as well or I could laugh and joke about the situation. I chose the latter.
She laughed along with me and some of the other co-workers kidded, “You two are having too much fun out there!”
I left smiling. Yes, it took time out of my day. Yes, it cost me dollars I didn’t want to cough up. And yes, it took way longer than necessary. But my outlook changed because my disposition improved.
I started humming on the drive home even while the windshield wipers beat a monotonous cadence. And then I began to really see the scenery along the way and that visual side of me noticed some spots that demanded capture by my camera.
As soon as I got home, I grabbed my camera bag, threw it in the car, and headed back out again in the countryside for another drive. I pulled over at the side of the road and stepped out of my car.
Sure it was drizzling. And it wasn’t exactly warm with temperatures hovering around 50 degrees. And there were mud puddles everywhere. I could get dragged down in the murky dismal day if I let myself, but again I made a choice. I chose to keep wiping the rain spots off my camera lens and continue clicking.
I doubted whether my photos would have punch because I feared I had waited too long to shoot those fall reds, yellows, rusts, and oranges. Already many leaves have fallen off the trees.
But I still kept walking along and shooting. I came upon a parked pickup truck with company signage on the side of it and a gentleman came around the truck asking me if where he had parked was blocking my access to a driveway (he thought it was mine). I answered no, that I was just taking some photos and pointed in the direction of a stand of trees.
And he replied, “Isn’t it beautiful?” So we stood there in the misting rain on a day that seemed so lackluster and discussed the leaves and their finery. He worked for an engineering company and shared that he sure enjoyed the scenery on his trip down here to my neck of the woods. That’s when I noticed his license plate – Vermont.
“Oh,” I replied, “I bet our colors don’t hold a candle to yours.”
On the contrary, he said the leaves this year just turned brown and fell off the trees where he lived. That’s why he was enjoying our fall foliage so much because he missed seeing theirs.
After a friendly wave goodbye, I walked back to my car and drove home thinking over my afternoon. Going out for that chore turned into a blessing.
I believe God used that chore just to remind me that no matter how dismal things look, a change in attitude does wonders. And He placed that engineer in my path so I would remember that even when the world seems dim, He gives us so much for which to be grateful.
Even rainy, downcast days. Legs to use for walking. Eyes to see His beauty. Cameras to capture that beauty. And a truck from Vermont to remind me to appreciate what the Lord provides.
“The grateful heart that springs forth in joy is not acquired in a moment; it is the fruit of a thousand choices.” – Nancy Leigh DeMoss
©2014 mamasemptynest.wordpress.com
Beautiful scenery.
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That colorful scenery is one of the reasons why I just love the season of autumn. Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Mary; I appreciate it. 🙂
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I love God’s beautiful creations and the brilliant colors,That and cooking is my pleasures. I take pictures of sunrises and sunsets , old home places I have been thinking about sharing along with my
food and recipes.
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Mary, I love God’s creation too and especially sunrises and sunsets. Cooking, not so much, but I see you have some tasty-sounding recipes on your blog. I think it’s a great idea to add some of your photos of the things you love on your site. Go for it!
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Your chore turned into a happy day! And you made it happen yourself with your own cheerful attitude. You are my inspiration for tomorrow. 🙂
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Well, you comment just made my day because sometimes I don’t feel like I’m much of an inspiration to anybody! 😉 Thanks, my sweet friend.
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Life is what you make of it — so true, Cindy! What a wonderful essay. I’m so glad your day turned around. Even with the gray skies, those are beautiful pictures indeed!
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Overcast and cloudy days sometimes yield the best photos. Who would think it? Melissa, it brightens my day just to see your face in your gravatar and know you’ve left a comment for me! 🙂
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Awww… the feeling is mutual, Cindy! Even if your “face” is a nest. 🙂 I wish I had more time for blogging. The school year has swamped me. But then again, I’m happy doing things this way, so no complaints!
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Such a beautiful sentence, this one, “Lack of sunshine muted everything from the coats of many colors displayed on the trees to my mood.” It’s such a wonderful blessing to reach for the camera to take photos thus engaging us with all around us. You do take beautiful photos!
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It’s hard to believe that an inanimate object like a camera could give me such joy, but it does! I’m so blessed by your kind words (as always, Georgette) and it also gives me joy that others like my photos and my words. 🙂
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I’ve always thought of angry (or unhappy) moods as ‘black holes’ – they suck everyone nearby right into them. A positive attitude, on the other hand, radiates outwards and encompasses those it touches. No matter how difficult things might seem some days, I always try to ‘put on a happy face’ and appreciate the wonders that surround me. Its amazing how just the tiniest adjustment in attitude can chance your whole perspective.
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Margo, I like that metaphor for bad moods as black holes sucking everyone into them. You’re so very right! I try to adjust my attitude too, but after a few days of bad weather, I really had to work at it! Sunshine really does make me happy. 😉
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We’ve got sunshine today for the first time in almost a week. I feel energized and MUCH happier. It really does affect my mood, too.
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What an inspiring post!!! It is so easy to get caught up in a “grumpy” mood, but we can usually change that if we just try a little. Your photos are beautiful; for the most part, our trees are still green!
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I seem prone to getting caught up in the grumpies sometimes especially when we have one dreary day after another. But even though the weather is beyond my control, my attitude sure is NOT. That I have the power to change. Our leaves are falling fast but we did have some very nice colors this year unlike the past couple of years.
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Glad your day turned out to be such a beautiful one! It is all about the attitude we hold and present so many times. And cloudy days are often great photography days, too. no harsh shadows and deeper, more saturated colors. The same scene on a sunny day can look (and photograph) so differently on a cloudy day… and both are beautiful. 😉
Also, I added a post this morning, but it is not showing in my Reader. Can I ask a favor? Can you let me know if it is showing in your Reader? If not, I may try to repost it. Thanks! Again, a lovely post from you today! 🙂
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D, left you comments on your posts regarding the Reader issue.
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That attitude is ALWAYS rewarded!
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Yep, and we do choose what attitude we’re going to have. 🙂
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Exactly, Mama! Just as ‘love’ is a decision, so is our attitudes. So glad that your day turned out to be a blessing, and that you’ve reminded us to see the blessings in life and not the curses.
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And today, we’re finally back to sunny skies! Makes me a happy camper. 🙂
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