Everything in its own time.

(I've been meaning to write this post for awhile now. Like everything else here, it apparently needed to come at its own time)

Over a year ago, when I took on a new position at work, I didn't really have much time to cross-train with the person I was replacing. We covered the main topics/issues and I jumped in, head first, to figure out the rest - classic baptism by fire.

About 5-6 weeks into the new position I noticed a small key hanging from a pushpin on my cube wall. (Yes, it took me that long to notice it and wonder about it - I spent VERY little of my first 6 weeks - well, 3 months really, at my desk) I tried the key in my desk. Didn't work. I put it back on the wall, deciding I would figure it out later.

Over the next several months, as I worked through the massive learning curve, the key - and its unknown origin - became something I looked fondly on. It somehow represented a calmer time in the future. A time when huger issues would be resolved and I would be able to ponder its purpose. More importantly, it represented the fact that I didn't need to know *everything* right now. I decided to leave it hanging there, a little mystery in my day, and just await the moment its use would be revealed to me.

That day came this past January (about 9 months into the position - around the same time I finally moved into my desk - but that's another post). The coworker I sit next to made a comment one day about a spare desk key. Turns out he and the person I stepped in for had swapped spare keys for safe-keeping. My mystery key was the key to his desk.

In a lot of ways January was a bit of a turning point for me. I had finally learned the purpose of the key and it was at just the proper moment.

Likewise, shortly after I bought my house, I was in a conversation about weed eaters. I didn't own one at the time and just the thought of having one made me feel suffocated. Somehow I could commit to an entire house, but a weedeater was like a ball and chain. It was far too settled and domesticated. About 4 weeks ago, (again about 9 months after I bought the house - this timing is a weird coincidence) as I was cutting the grass, I realized I wanted a weedeater. I now own a weedeater. And instead of feeling suffocated, I love how what it does for my yard.

That was the point where I started thinking about this post. And how everything comes in its own time. How we can't control the way and time life throws things (especially all-important things like weedeaters :p) at, or reveals things to, us and how, often, we shouldn't try and should just roll with the punches for a while.

And then tonight. I went outside to move my car in the garage. I saw the neighbour's kid out front. I was trying to figure out what he was doing. He was taking down the Christmas lights. 9:40 pm on a Sunday night in the third week of June. I started wondering what prompted this decision at this time. Then I realized I probably couldn't explain why I do half the things I do when I do them. Like learning the key's purpose, and the weedeater, it must've just been time to take the Christmas lights down. Everything in its own time.