A few years ago, our neighbors moved out of their home. During this process, my family found itself fortunate to inherit many helpful household items, which our neighbors were looking to discard. Because they were so generous, there were several items we needed to politely decline, in an effort to share the wealth and not take on excess.
One such “declined” item was a fan: one of those small metal box fans you plug into the wall. This one was older, maybe a little rusted in a spot or two, with a short cord and small prongs that always remind me of the 80s. We already had an extra fan, so I didn’t think we needed another one.
But, my husband finds it more difficult to politely decline. Further, he has a way of finding great utility in having multiple of the same item stored in our home. So, over to our house it came.
Upon inspection and a test run or two, I soon realized that this fan is NOT like our other fan. This one is a bit “clankity.” It gives off a rattle: a high-pitched, metallic hum that is audible from a fair distance.
So it is.
This summer’s heat waves have presented Hubs with a new project: keeping our garage cool. We have toyed with the idea of putting an AC unit in the garage because he does so much work in there throughout the year (he’s great with cars, motors, building, etc, and uses various tools in the garage). So, controlling the temperature in that space could be nice. Before we pull the trigger on this, Hubs has spent several weeks of our summer using various fans to blow air around, push it out the windows, and ostensibly work to validate the need for the AC unit in there.
Last night, when I took an evening stroll down the block, I heard our sweet little clankity fan from halfway down the block. Its noise echoed across the lawns ahead of me, and I laughed to myself while I walked.
With my recent musings on viewpoint, perspective, and mindset, I realized that this silly little moment could be viewed from multiple perspectives. (1) I could feel annoyed that Hubs acquired more and more items than we need to store in our home. (2) I could feel frustrated by the echo of this strange new noise throughout our neighborhood. (3) I could laugh at the way Hubs is trying to slowly come around to the idea of buying a cooling unit for the garage, or (4) I can find the breath of peace in all this. Seeking and choosing a peaceful viewpoint is what I think life is all about.
So, here’s mine:
The clankity little fan is a pleasant reminder. It is the voice of the neighbors we so dearly miss, reminding us, “Hey, remember how generous we were with our giving as we prepared to move?” or “Hey, remember how nice we were?” or “Hey, remember what a treasure and a blessing you had in such awesome neighbors?”
Thankfully, the folks to move in following are just as awesome, and we have our old neighbors to thank for that, too. Which makes more room for even more peace and gratitude.
I always find peace in gratitude. And I have so much to be grateful for: a fan that keeps on working, a fan that hums to be from across multiple lawns in the neighborhood, a cooler garage, a thoughtful husband, the memory of wonderful neighbors, and a the sweet reminder (all from that little fan) that we have heaps and heaps of gracious abundance in our lives.
While musing on all of this, I also came to realize that the fan doesn’t clank so much as it jingles. And jingling always makes me think of bells: the soft music makers that ring through a dark night, welcome a holiday season, and then ring in a new year. Jingling is pretty magical, and that thought brings even more peace on my heart.
What brought you peace this week?
Share the peace! I love your comments always.
4 the Love of Peace 