Several weeks ago a friend delivered a huge pile of leftover timber (untreated) from a building renovation. It needed to be cut up for firewood, but lifting and carrying the timber to the drop saw would have been really difficult for me (not impossible, but too strenuous after my bladder surgery).
Knowing this, my wife, son and a friend began working without me. I felt left out.
I watched as my wife gingerly approach the drop-saw and realised that using a dangerous power tool and getting covered in saw dust was a way I could contribute. It didn’t involve heavy lifting and I had plenty of experience with the drop saw.
We soon got into a rhythm. And guess what? An hour later all the wood was cut up and I felt great!
Next time you’re feeling left out, look for a way you can contribute given your unique skills and circumstances. No matter your situation, your happiness rides on your ability to find ways to contribute. As a bonus, every time I load a piece of this firewood into the fire I’ll remember that contribution and relive the happiness it brought me.
Here’s to living the greater than life!
Mike
P.S. Can you spot the LapStacker?