Thursday, January 12, 2012

Try Harder

Today is a try harder day.
As I sit at my desk, looking out at the wind blowing an American flag straight out, snow swirling about in eddies, I am thankful for the warmth of my office. I am trying hard to remain focused on the tasks at hand....phone calls that need to be returned, documents to print and mail, claims to be followed up on....and my eyes just keep returning to the window and the outside.
I woke up at 8:47AM. I must have been sleeping hard because the alarm clock, which was set for 7AM, was impatiently beeping. Shadow and Ghost were on either side of me, staring me down. I groaned as I realized that I was supposed to be at work in 13 minutes and I wasn't going to make it. I had to try hard not to let panic set in.
I got up, poured myself a glass of juice, got dressed (no time for a shower this morning :>( ) and went out to start the car. In my not quite awake haze, I opened the car door not thinking about the fact that it was covered in snow. All that beautiful powder dropped right into my passenger seat. I had to try hard not to grumble. I took the window scraper/brush and brushed it all off. Back inside, I brushed my teeth, grabbed a Laura bar and my juice and headed out into the morning. I had to try to not to panic as I was late and the roads were not cleared. A quick message to Tim to tell him I was on my way but late and I started the journey in.
It was stop and go, some places fine and others still pristine with fallen snow. I arrived safely, thankful that my normal commute is only about 15 minutes unlike that of most I know. Waiting on my desk was a cup of hot chocolate. I had to try not to cry as that simple act of kindness meant so much on such a try harder morning.
So it is now 3PM. The flow of the day has been steady.....phone calls, claims and normal office routine. I'm thankful that the number of claims has been at a minimum and that those I care about are safe. I'm thankful that my daddy taught me to keep at least a half a tank of gas in the car and because of this I put gas in last night. I'm thankful that I had a pair of snow boots to put on to keep my feet dry, even though the snow isn't very deep. I'm thankful that a month ago, I had two new tires put on the front of my car. I'm thankful that on try harder days, I have a Heavenly Daddy who gently reminds me that the attitude of the day is a choice. I can choice to let the events dictate my attitude or I can choose to remain positive and try harder.
The day has not been an easy one. Yet, I am trying harder to face each unexpected twist with a smile and to find the blessing.