Well, this is going to be fun!
I start this month’s article waiting for the sun to rise. I do love this time of the day, as it’s the most peaceful. My morning routine has changed drastically this past month since giving up coffee. I systematically try to give something up pretty often and replace it with something more beneficial to the mind, body, and spirit. I thought coffee would be the last thing I gave up, but it ended up coming before a few others.
I think we all need to have some enjoyment in life, but why do we think that enjoyment has to be attached to things that are harmful to us? I have never been a one-and-done type of guy with anything in my life. It doesn’t matter what it was, and without sharing too much of my past, it was the case for everything. The sad reality is it still applies to me; way more than I would like. Hence, why I make an effort to give certain things up and I will continue to do so throughout my life. The only blessing is that I am now older and wiser, and learning how to tame it better.
That being said, I hiked a mountain yesterday that I had no business doing whatsoever. I knew I wasn’t prepared for this mountain, and with it being winter and filled with ice, it only added to the challenge. You know you’re in a unique group of “people searchers” when you go to a mountain that usually has full parking and a waitlist, to only see a few cars in the parking lot.
February gave us a run for our money with the snow and ice. As I write this article, we are expecting another snow storm and it looks like will be a big one. As always, we will be prepared to handle it accordingly. I want to thank all of you who have been cooperating with the snow removal process. The blast calls are sent as reminders and warnings to follow the snow regulations. These blast calls are sent as a courtesy to all of our residents and for your protection and benefit. Whether a blast call is sent or not, the regulations still apply during every snowstorm:
No parking on the street.
No parking in spots with a “No Parking During Snow Storm” sign.
No parking in front of walkways, fire hydrants, or dumpsters.
Failure to follow these rules will result in your car being towed. We have stickered cars and attempted to call violators in the past. This again was done as a courtesy and for your benefit, as we don’t want to have to tow your vehicles. That being said, at this point, everyone knows the snow regulations and they must be followed. Please make sure to do your part to prevent a tow that will cost hundreds of dollars and significant time. We have done our part and I truly hope that you will do yours as well.
I work for the community and therefore, I work for all of you. Still, I work for the collective, not the individual. If your actions negatively impact the well-being of the overall community, then it will be corrected. Let us all work together so we can continue to be the hidden oasis of Coram.
March is always an interesting month and one that can provide either beautiful spring days or a harsh reality that winter hasn’t left us yet. I am personally hoping for beautiful spring weather, as I have had enough snow headaches for one season. Spring is always a beautiful time of the year, as that’s when we see new life coming back into nature. Though they aren’t dead in the winter, they just aren’t growing, but they’re surviving.
It makes me think about the seasons of our own lives, if we look at it through a chronological lens. We are born in the spring and pass in the winter. I like to view life in seasons of growing, maintaining, harvesting, or giving.
I have experienced every season many times and for the last few years, I have been in the growing season. As we grow, we determine what works and what doesn’t. To do this, we must try new things and have different experiences. Many of those experiences will not be enjoyable and often cause us pain and discomfort. The unpleasant experiences are what allow us to change direction and find what works for us and those we hope to impact.
If we are lucky enough to have successful growth, we must maintain that growth and do what is necessary to ensure that the growth continues. This is a very difficult season to be in, as that’s when we are tested beyond measure. Most people fail during this season and revert back to survival mode. You can live a life of surviving, but you will never fully experience thriving.
The harvest is when all your hard work and sacrifice produce the fruits of your labor. This is a great season of life and one that few ever reach. The issue in this season of life is, that when everything you worked for has paid off, you have to determine what the cost was for this success. For many people, the cost is too great and although they have everything they wanted, they lost everything they needed.
The giving season is my favorite one of them all. This is when you get to give back to those who have helped you. For many, and for myself specifically, the best people to give to are strangers. Now, you don’t have to necessarily give money or materials. Remember, the most precious commodity on the planet is time, as that is the one thing you can never get more of.
Be careful of the seasons you aspire to be in or to not stay too long. Each season should only be a stop along an endless journey.
March brings us the following holidays and days of significance: Ash Wednesday, Daylight Savings, St. Patrick’s Day, First Day of Spring.
Craig Pessin- HOA Administrator
The mountain fought me and more importantly, humbled me literally to my knees. I had to crawl through rock formations and the sense of fear was immense beyond measure. I am known for not being able to cry for some reason, and although I didn’t, I sure came close to thinking I had no way out. I learned firsthand all the mistakes I made hiking this mountain and I will course correct accordingly.
Challenges build strength and character; humility teaches us gratitude for those who walked before us. Determination will get you a view from the mountaintop. For some, it’s a literal mountain top, and for others, it’s whatever you thought you couldn’t do and did.
“What one person has done, so can another.”