Why the Midwest is Nice

If you live in the Twin Cities (or any part of the country affected by this storm), you know by now that a classic winter storm has danced its way through town and, like a college student on a Sunday morning, let its hangover render the day useless for many people. I fell victim to the sloppy heckles of the storm by getting stuck twice on my commute and doing a complete 180 on the highway while driving home from work. While attempting to stop at a stoplight, I  swiftly whipped around to face a large SUV like a classic western face off. Luckily, I drove away from the scene unscathed (although it did take a while to catch my breath).

While thinking about my experiences today, I reflected on the countless stories I've heard from friends throughout the years who've had similar experiences. Almost always, a good samaritan or 2 or 6 show up on the scene of a Minnesota or Wisconsin winter snow storm from hell to shovel snow from under tires, push a stranger's cars through an intersection or even stop to loan out a cell phone to someone in need.

People wonder why the midwest is nice. My theory: winters (and stars, but we'll get to that point this summer). We are forced to rely on our communities, our society as a collective to get through the storm safe, alive and with our sanity intact. The truth is, we know that we wouldn't make it through the winter without each other, and I think this is something midwesterners carry with them year-round.

As a single person, I really appreciated the young man who stopped to push me through an intersection this morning, and his unselfishness has inspired this post. My goal for the week is to be less selfish. Every time I get irritated, I vow to stop myself, and think about what that main cause of my irritation is. If it's selfish, I'll think about my good samaritan and apply this logic my thinking. Even admitting to myself that I am being selfish is a feat in itself, but this winter snow storm has reminded me to think before I jump to any self-centered conclusions.

If we all work to be a little less selfish, the world will be a brighter place.

TIP: Participating in Meatless Monday is a great way to live less selfishly, and more green. Check out why, here .

Conflict
Avoid conflict among friends and family, but don't forget to avoid conflict within yourself.


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