When we first bought our property, we wondered why the development didn't put in street lights. The few times we were there and it got dark, it was really dark. We assumed it
was mostly a financial decision, and for the developer it probably was. But when we asked other owners about street lights in our community group, several commented that they moved to the country to get away from street lights. Having never lived in the country, that puzzled me. Didn’t they want safer roads?
We found out from the electrical company that we could install lights on the poles that were at our curb and on our property for a small monthly charge. We decided to wait until after moving in to have that done and I'm so glad we waited.
We have never lived in the country before. You don't know what you don't know, and I didn't know what I was missing when it comes to light pollution. The stars are so incredibly bright here against a dark sky, with minimal external lighting throughout the neighborhood. While it may be tricky and require cautious driving at night, the every-night beauty is worth
it.
Too often, I am so eager to jump in and fix problems as I see them. I assume if it's a problem to me, it's a problem. Period. I don't immediately consider that maybe something that's bothering me isn't really a
problem to anyone else?
A trusted friend has told me more than once, “How about you wait and see what happens when you don't do anything?” And, “Hey, don’t just do something, sit there.”
I have practiced that approach in troubling situations and relationships, where I was so sure that I could lay out a plan and present the right solutions to make everything better. Turns out that many good things can happen
without my involvement. Yup, with me doing absolutely nothing at all. (Did you read last my recent blog, “When Being Right Is Wrong?”)
Perhaps other people will move forward on corrective measures that will address issues that bother me. Or maybe after a while and after observing the situation for a longer period of time than I am usually comfortable, I will have a shift in perspective.
That's what happened regarding the street lights by our new home. Now, I would absolutely NOT want three commercially powerful lamps lighting the first few acres of our property. I love going outside on a clear night to star gaze. The moon is extra bright and the sacredness of night is undisturbed by man-made light.
