As I was shoveling my driveway again today, after another four inches of snow overnight, I thought a lot about survival. We – many of us anyway – take for granted our easy life of travel and shelter and and food. For some, a foot or so of snow is just an inconvenience. It may mean postponing until tomorrow that trip to the mall for more shopping fun. On the other hand, it could mean the inconvenience of death if one takes a wrong turn. Wrong turns, in one form or another, can happen any moment to anyone.
As I scooped aside loads of snow, I thought of that tragic episode in American history known as the Donner Party. I won’t recount the story here, but it’s a reminder of what can happen when a number of bad choices and worse circumstances come together and what people will do just to survive.
Survival isn’t just getting through an unpleasant event or moment of adversity. There are many people in my town, state, country, and world for whom every moment is an effort toward surviving to the next moment. For them, life itself is adversity.
Yet I think it’s true for everyone on one level or another. I see each one of us – no matter who or what one’s station – as being in a struggle for survival. Struggle may not seem to you the right word because it connotes adversity, difficulty, or conflict. But I see no other word for it because survive we must, any way we can. We work, we form relationships and alliances, we pray, because of a need to survive. Some of us must struggle more than others, but is there a point on a line where struggle ends and ease begins? Or when ease ends and struggle begins? To live means to survive, and survival takes effort. Sometimes less, sometimes more.
2 Comments
The snow, when you’re making a snowman with your grandkids, is a wonderful thing. But when you’re stuck on a steep hill having a heart attack and the ambulance can’t reach you, it’s a terrible thing.
Same snow, though. One’s circumstances and point of view makes all the difference. It’s hard to embrace life when it’s difficult.
Hi Joy. I once heard the Dalai Lama speak on happiness. Quite logically he explained that if something makes a person happy, then more of the same should make a person even more happy. The excitement of a little bit of snow wears off as soon as it becomes a burden or a threat. This, of course, is true for everything that brings momentary happiness. That’s why Buddhists say that all conditioned things are suffering. I’ve had enough trouble with snow in my life that even the mention of it makes me wary.
By the way, I did like the before and after of your snowman.