Rodrigues Week IV

 Samuel M. Rodrigues                         AP Language & Composition                                8 February 2021

Grass & Snow

    There is something calming about landscaping. Whether it be mowing the lawn, shoveling snow, or pulling weeds, it always seems to clear my mind. Maybe it's the increased blood flow to my noggin or the repetitive nature of the tasks. Somehow I always feel relaxed after a long day of yard work. In fact, I love this type of work so much I even opened a small landscaping business of my own. In this blog post, I will search to understand why I enjoy this type of work, tell a few interesting stories, and speculate how this type of work may also help you to find peace.

    Developing an understanding of why I am drawn to yard work shouldn't be terribly difficult. I believe that I enjoy this type of work because of my cultural and familial background. The Portuguese, generally, admire individuals who are effective at physical labor, so I probably enjoy shoveling snow and mowing lawns because it is widely accepted in my culture. Family might also influence my love for landscaping. Both of my grandfathers were very significant role models during my childhood, and they too regularly engage in yard work. So, I might enjoy landscaping because I am unconsciously searching for approval from my grandfathers. Interesting stuff, right?

    My love for landscaping began when I was young. By age ten I was shoveling my parents' driveway and by age twelve I was mowing my neighbors' lawns. When I look back, I think the first time I ever got compensation for yard work was when I was fourteen. After a long snowstorm, my elderly neighbor needed someone to shovel his driveway, so I gladly volunteered. Three hours and three feet of snow later, I completely cleared his driveway. Just as I was walking home, I heard my neighbor call to me. He wished to thank me and offered to pay me. Of course, my first instinct was to kindly decline. After he insisted for several minutes, I submitted and headed home. From that point on, I realized that I could make revenue by doing things that I loved to do. That moment was priceless for me. In my later teenage years, I opened a landscaping company that has done pretty well so far, and, currently, I remain the owner of the business.

    Now the big question: how might this type of work help you? Well, first of all, I guarantee that it isn't for everyone. But, if you enjoy low stress and consistent tasks, it might be the right hobby. You don't need to make it a business out of it to enjoy all the good feelings you get from landscaping. All you need is you, and some yard tools. Being close to nature and getting your blood flowing for extended periods of time is a recipe for a relaxed mood. If you have any questions, comments, or just have some thoughts, feel free to let me know!

    

    

A yard well-kept.