it was the morning after the big storm

he walked outside to assess the damage

lots of tree limbs down in the yard

some trees toppled over

one resting against the roof

fortunately no damage to the house or his truck

he fueled up the chainsaw

fitted a new blade

safety glasses and ear protection donned

carefully planning each cut to avoid injury

the chain saw roared into life

sawdust clouds filled the air

it was hard work but he did not tire

staying totally focussed on his task

he felt strangely more aware of his own situation with every cut

a few hours later he stepped back to size things up

the pieces were now small enough to be loaded onto his pickup

he estimated it would take five or six loads to haul it all away

he took each load to a friend who sold firewood

it was almost nightfall when the last load was gone

tomorrow he would finish cleaning up with the leaf blower 

he went inside to think things through

he resisted the urge to pour himself a stiff drink

he had not only cleared away the storm damage

his mind was now clear and he acknowledged this was a new beginning for him

it was time for a career change and some new friends

no more hanging out in bars with drunken losers

no more casual hookups with loose women

it was time to put some meaning and purpose into his existence

he was eternally grateful that the raging storm had cleared a path for his future