Are you a Raker or a Blower?

Zen and the Art of Leaf Raking

It's that time of year. All but a few leaves have fallen off the trees and it's time to decide whether and to rake or to blow? Choosing the right tool for the job doesn't always require a trip to Home Depot and as a follow up to a documentary I posted called "Alone int the Wilderness", emphasizing the importance of mindfulness during the holiday season, I want to make a case for the rake.

I'll have you know I had time to reflect on this during the hour or so I raked my small yard yesterday which in and of itself is reason enough to consider a more manual approach to your labors. So why do people choose to deliberately opt out of efficiency and choose to do things the hard or old fashioned way?

For those of us that favor the rake, the act of manually gathering leaves is not just a chore but a therapeutic exercise. We understand the zen-like benefits of engaging in manual labor. The rhythmic swing of the rake, repetition of motion, sound of the leaves crackling, and tactile connection with the earth turn a chore into a ritual that soothes the soul and quiets the mind.

Compare for a moment the sensory experience I just described versus the humming of a blower, chaotic scattering of the leaves and sense that you've left most of your work in the street for neighbors to deal with the next time the wind blows.

The rake on the other hand is a precision instrument that allows us to methodically move our leaves into organized piles that can be easily bagged and trashed, leaving a sense of completion as we reflect back on our work.

Last but not least, raking is also a form of physical exercise, offering a low-impact workout that engages muscles and promotes overall well-being. Even if it takes twice as long to rake the leaves, you probably can get more than double that time back saving yourself a trip the gym for a half hour on the dreadmill.

Curious? Intrigued? Check out the book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, written by Robert M. Pirsig. I read it many years ago on a vacation in the Bahamas. It emphasizes the importance of quality in every aspect of life, urging the reader to engage with their tasks and surroundings in a meaningful way. The act of raking leaves, much like the meticulous care and attention given to motorcycle maintenance in Pirsig's book, can be seen as an opportunity to infuse a simple task with a sense of purpose and craftsmanship. Rakers find a connection to the principles of quality in their manual approach, taking pride in the process and the outcome.