[New] Often, change can be a major challenge

ROSLYN RYAN Richmond Suburban News

Unless you make a habit of spending the last week of the year ensconced in an isolation chamber, you probably, like millions and millions of other people, have been unable to avoid the usual torrent of self-help systems and gadgets that are always on offer this time of year. No matter where you look in the days leading up to the New Year, there seems to be an offer of something that will, with very little effort on your part, fix your life or turn you into a far better version of yourself.

Are you a chronic procrastinator? There’s an app for that. Want to make more money? Invest here. Always late? Here’s a watch that is also a planner and a phone (so you can make calls as you are sprinting to your next meeting, maybe?). Are you out of shape, or maybe shaped in a way you don’t like? Call this gym NOW. Are you extremely good at making meticulously detailed lists and ridiculously bad at ever fully finishing anything on those lists? Here is someone who will, in just a few short-yet-extremely-expensive one-on-one sessions, explain to you exactly why you do that.

What would help most of us inveterate self-improvers the most—though I have yet to see it on offer at any reasonable price—is someone to simply follow us around all day every day and deliver a gentle nudge whenever one is needed.

“Is that the best use of that $50?” they might ask, or perhaps, very kindly, “Looking for a new coffee table does sound super fun, but let’s get that project done that you’ve been putting off for three weeks first, shall we?”

The truth about changing ourselves, of course, or anyone for that matter, is that it’s always going to be hard. Our lives are challenging, life is unpredictable, and the path of least resistance is almost always more attractive. We make progress and keep promises and then, inevitably for many of us, we backslide.

It was while pondering all of this last week that I happened to notice a small magnet on my refrigerator, one that has been stuck on there so long that I no longer really see it. I can’t remember who gave it to us or when, but the message is one that so many of us are familiar with. You’ve probably heard it, even if you didn’t know that name of it. It’s the Serenity Prayer, and here is the first and most well-known verse:

God grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can; 8460 times-dispatch Blvd. Mechanicsville, Va 23116 Phone – (804) 746-1235 toll free – (877) 888-0449 Fax – (804) 344-8746 jmonopoli@RSnVa com at the time and would pass away a few months later. He was well known for representing Powhatan and Chesterfield counties as a delegate in the Virginia General Assembly for three terms; was a Ford-Mercury dealer for 54 years; and was a member of the Virginia Game Commission, among many other involvements through the years both locally and statewide.

And wisdom to know the difference.

During a time when the pressure to be perfect is ratcheted up, and when many of us don’t feel like we are enough, these simple words can serve as a much-needed balm.

The best part? No app needed.

Mary shared Roy’s favorite memory of Floyd Yates, which saw the then 100-year-old attending his regular Lions Club meeting and answering a question about why he was still driving. His response was, “It’s easy, because I don’t want too well.”

The shad planking story sparked a discussion in the front seat between Elwood and Reilly about good fishing spots that soon spread to the entire truck.

Turning onto Ridge Road, Mary pointed out Mount Zion Baptist Church, which serves as one of

Powhatan’s polling precincts, and talked about being an election official there. Elwood promised a related story when we were on the return trip as we made our way to our second delivery.

The second went just as smooth as the first, with the client greeting us warmly and thanking the group for bringing the Christmas presents to her. It is a side of the program most people don’t get to see because they shop for presents or donate without ever meeting a recipient. Believe me when I say they are grateful.

Living up to his promises, Elwood stopped along Ridge Road shortly before Anderson Highway and pointed out the former location of the Smiths Crossroad polling precinct – an old one-room building on the edge of the woods (on county-owned land) behind a private property. At the time of its use, the building was used by black residents to cast their vote.

The oldest voting precinct in the county that is still standing, according to Elwood, the building had no phone, heat or electricity. Elwood said when they lit the fire in the building to warm it up in November, in the afternoon “the wasps would start coming out – they thought it was summertime.”

We took a “field trip” by walking up to the building and it is surprising how sturdy it still looks. Elwood expressed a wish that the building could be restored and I agree it would be a nice piece of history to preserve.

As we made our way the remaining journey back to headquarters, the conversation flitted between old stores along Route 60 that have been remodeled into homes, Reilly’s drive home from college and hunting and fishing trips.

All too soon we were parking the truck, another morning of delivering presents complete and a fun time had by all.

I asked first-timer Kathy Ware what she thought about the experience. She said it was a fun outing and heartwarming to see the recipients who are so appreciative of the gifts they receive.

Once again, I feel the need to point out this short delivery excursion, while important, is just one of many steps taken in the Powhatan Christmas Mother program undertaken by volunteers and community businesses and families. It really does take a village to accomplish this program. Fortunately, Powhatan has a strong community of people who love to pitch in and help make the season brighter for so many Powhatan children, seniors and adults with disabilities.

Laura mcFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com.