The Leaf Blower

I’m cruising through a walking meditation,  
feeling all Zen-master-ish,  
when BRRRRRRRRRR.

Leaf blower.

Instant blood pressure spike.

One guy blasts leaves west.  
The wind returns them east.  
Rinse, repeat, rage.

Then it hits me.

The blower isn’t “annoying.”  
It’s just air and gasoline making noise.

Same as a bird chirp, minus the Disney soundtrack.

The suffering?  
100% homemade.  
Seasoned with my label: “unpleasant.”

So I try something wild:  
Nothing.

I lean back in my own head,  
watch the thought,  
let it float by  
like one of those wandering leaves.

Volume knob drops from 11 to… background hum.

A minute later I realize the blower’s still going
  but I’m not.

Zen 101:
  Pain is real.  
Misery is optional.

Today’s lesson,  
courtesy of a guy named Hank  
with a two-stroke engine.