Time To Buy Your Snow Shovels!

I am firmly of the opinion that every person on this planet has a life story worth sharing. Every person. No exceptions. Every. Person.

• The teenage boy who bags your groceries.


• The man flipping you the bird after he cuts you off in traffic.


• The Columbian woman who cleans your office.


• That rude lady who sat next to you on the plane who wouldn't turn off her cell phone.


• The IRS agent who processes your tax form.


• The man at the hardware store who sells you a snow shovel.


• The person who hands you your coffee in the morning -- whether it's your significant other or the barista at the local Starbucks.

Without exception, every human being on the planet has a story that is full of passion and joy, agony and ecstasy. When we remember this, it's much more difficult to treat one another disrespectfully because we recognize ourselves in one another. This, or course, is not news to the enlightened souls who read this blog!

But it does bring me to this point -- one we all need to be reminded of from time to time: EVERY person has a life story worth sharing and that includes the person you see in the mirror.

It's extraordinary that we don't, as a rule, honor our own stories more. We take them for granted -- think they're unimportant or even boring. Psssst. Lean in close: They aren't. Your story -- yes, YOURS -- is one of epic proportion. For one thing, the fact that you're even on the planet is a miracle. If you're reading this, and on a computer no less, you are a person of extraordinary privilege whether or not you recognize this fact. And that's just for starters! Start working childhood and love and loss in there and suddenly, no one can look away. Your story has the power to mesmerize masses. Trust me on this. And if you don't trust me, ask William Shakespeare. (If you actually get him, tell him I say hello. And then call the tabloids because boy will you have a story worth sharing! I'm just saying.)

What does any of this have to do with snow shovels? There are no snow shovels in Shakespeare! Truthfully, it's tangential . . . which will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me. Here it is:

During a recent conversation, one of my most extraordinary friends -- who is, among other things, a gifted writer with several published books to her credit! -- told me that she had "blog envy." Being the supportive, loving friend that I am I of course replied "Well, you could have a blog, too!"

"Oh, I don't have anything to say," she protested.

Again with the loving and supportive friend. I told her that wasn't true. That, in point of fact, she had mentioned at least four things that would have made GREAT blog fodder.

Now, I AM a loving and supportive friend. (I think I made that point clear. Right?!) BUT. I didn't go beyond this because, frankly, this woman is a) brilliant; b) funnier than the Sunday comics; c) endlessly creative and d) I think her life is infinitely more interesting than my own!! (Naturally!) And if you only have time to read one blog, I want it to be mine! (Naturally!)

With that said, I'm convinced that one day soon you'll be able to read her blog. Why? Because, of the topics we discussed -- including a family member who was an honest-to-goodness spy during World War II! -- she gave me permission to share just ONE with you.

Here it is: It's time to buy your snow shovels! She bought five . . . one for each door of her home. When she does start that blog, remember you read about the snow shovels here . . .