In my spare time, I love to saunder on down to whatever section of town has the most construction going on to see the sights. It's a man thing and all that.
Actually, it's really the excavation that gets my attention. Watching the moving of dirt is enjoyable to me; second only to following the firetrucks to the source of the smoke.
When given the opportunity, you can find me and a small group of wannabe hard hats sitting on a dirt pile watching the latest hole being dug. While we marvel at the vision, planning and technology involved in dirt digging, I've found many life lessons in these excavation excursions.
For instance, let's talk about worms. You can't dig a hole or move a mound of dirt in New Jersey without encountering an annelid (Webster's fancy term for an earthworm). These lowly creatures are amazing and if you're willing to watch, they can teach you a lesson or two.
First, no matter how much dirt (or worse!) the construction guys pile on, the worm just keeps on keeping on. In fact, I can just hear the worm responding to the dirt now, "Is that all you got?"
Worm lesson #1: what they say doesn't matter. Cream rises to the top and so does scum - who you are will eventually speak louder than what they say.
Second, long after the noise of the contractor disappears, the worm will still be doing his job - inch by inch, never deterred.
Worm lesson #2: a few loud mouthed, ill intentioned construction dudes (or anyone else for that matter!) shouldn't deter you from your purpose and plans. Ignore them - they be on unemployment in 6 months!
Third, though ugly and unseen, the worm is a vital, actually critical part of the whole system. We need worms!
Worm lesson #3: What you do and who you are is actually more critical to the order of things than those who spend their time throwing dirt on you. Just keep on being you.
Actually, when it's all said and done, being a worm ain't so bad.
