me and Murphy

I'm sure that many of you reading this are familiar with the term, "Murphy's Law". It is a term that I frequently use when I am tackling a do-it-yourself project. No matter how long the instructions tell me this will take; no matter how simple a friend may make the task seem; no matter how few tools I will need......Murphy's Law takes over.

I can read all the directions (twice), and double check that I have all the parts and tools needed. I can think through the process and try and plan out every step in advance (so as not to waste time by getting any step out of order). I can get myself mentally prepared and convinced that I can do this......and then Murphy shows up. I've come to expect him at any time; usually when I think that I am about to finish. Recently, he showed up when I was replacing a motion sensor light for the outside of the house. Not installing a unit, but replacing an existing unit. The plan is to shut off the power, remove the old unit, untie the wire-nuts, grab the new unit, reattach the wires and the wire-nuts, and replace the base. Simple, right?......not with me and Murphy. "Why are there so many wires to try and get up into an electrical box?"; "Why are the screws that come with the new unit not long enough to reach the electrical box?"; "Why does the screw that falls into the grass have to be green?"; "Why do I have to climb back down the ladder to get a flat-head screwdriver that is not mentioned as one of the 'Tools Required'?"; "Why is the cordless drill not charged after sitting on a shelf for two years?"; "Why is it starting to rain while I am on a ladder, connecting electrical wires?". You see, me and Murphy have some interesting conversations.

I used to try and avoid Murphy, but as I have grown...... matured......... alright.... gotten older, I have been taught a great lesson by Murphy; patience. I guess I could have rushed into any project and found myself getting upset with mistakes and failures, but I have learned, through Murphy's help, that there is always a chance for distractions, a detour, or even another way to finish the project and have it still work. When we have patience, these distractions and detours become learning processes.

Oh, by the way, the motion sensor light works just fine.