Winter Moon Mosaic by Ctd 2005
Raise your hand if you like to take the trash out. Who in your home has this dirty job? It should be you and I’ll tell you why.
The trash truck comes to my neighborhood once a week. Trash has to go out at night. I’m the one who takes it out, winter or summer, rain, snow, or sleet. I used to hate doing it, but now I get grumpy if it is done for me. And here’s why.
Taking Out the Trash is Therapy
You need to take the trash out because it’s therapy. A strange kind of therapy, I’ll admit. Don’t mock it. It’s free! And your family will even thank you, well, maybe.
Picture this, you’re a mom or dad. It’s the end of the day. You fell out of bed in the morning and you’ve been busy all day. There’s hardly been a moment when a colleague, boss, customer, kid, dog etc didn’t want something from you. The last thing you want is one more chore, and a smelly, yucky one at that. You put it off until the last possible minute. Maybe you’re hoping that someone will even kindly offer to do it for you.
Just do it! It’s magical.
You grumpily pull on your boots and jacket (if it’s winter), or you slink out the door barefoot to do the dreaded chore. You wrestle with the recalcitrant trash can, dragging it out into the street, ready to rush back inside as quickly as you can. But wait, you stop for just a moment and look around. Something wonderful happens. The still of evening touches you. It’s the most peaceful moment you’ve had all day. No phones, no kids, no TV, no computer, no laundry piles, no dirty dishes, no demands, just you and the Earth and one moment in time. A moment which is yours.
You’re You For Just a Moment
Maybe the moon is out, or rain is peacefully falling. You smell the evening air and feel the wind on your skin. You remember that you are connected to the Earth. The moon you see is the same one you’ve seen from every spot on Earth you’ve ever lived or visited. And you’re not just a mom, or dad, you’re “you”. The person you too-often forget is there inside. And just for a moment you know you want to take the trash out again next time, because maybe it’s just a little magical to be outdoors at night by yourself.
And meantime everyone else in your house thinks it’s great that you didn’t ask them to do that dirty job that no-one wants. And you’ve even managed to work on your self-control – you’ll probably have to make yourself do it every single time because you’ll forget the magic. So, who takes the trash out, and are you going to change?
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I just took several bags of trash out in the rain & loved it. Next time, I won’t be so grumpy about it!
Debi´s last blog ..SEA LIFE Aquarium
Great article!
I’m for anything that creates peace and tranquility!
All Best,
Carolyn
Debi, I’m so glad you got to feel the rain. Enjoy more weeks of taking out the trash!
Carolyn, I couldn’t agree more. Peace, tranquility and a connection to nature and to each other. These are special.
I love this post! Normally when I take out the trash, it’s very early in the morning – the moon is still out and the whole street is silent. Lately, it’s been chilly on my legs (of course I don’t think to wear shoes, slippers will do..) and it makes returning to the warmth that much nicer! So glad I’m not the only one who likes taking out the trash – thanks for writing! =)
Jess Morrison´s last blog ..Timeless Nature For You and Other Kids
I’m just happy if the raccoons don’t make me pick all the trash back up, in the morning! I like to be the first one on our cul-de-sac to take the trash / recycling / yard debris (yes, three trips) out to the curb. It’s kind of a swan-song for the neighbors and, one by one, I can hear them taking their bins out, after I’ve come back inside.
Roy Scribner´s last blog ..National Park too crowded? Try a National Forest Instead
What an interesting take on taking out the garbage, thanks for your insight. My husband takes it out and ever since he came back in with a scorpion on his hand (it didn’t sting him) I’ve pretty much avoided that chore at all costs. When he is out of town I do it but other than that, not very often.
I “bless” my hubby with the job of taking out the trash. He really does like having a few minutes to himself. He volunteers to take scraps to the compost pile as well. I get to bring the bins back up to the house, though. I guess that’s even, right?
I’ll take any excuse to go outside at night, taking out the trash, walking the dogs, whatever. There’s a pair of Eastern Screech Owls calling to each other and I’m always checking to see if they’re still around.
Carole´s last blog ..Looking Past the Garden Gate, the Ocean Needs Our Help
I just love seeing the stars when I take the trash out. Lately, Orion has been right above our house.
Mel´s last blog ..Guest post: Jess from Wild Earth Integration