I’m Not Lazy!

I’m not lazy. I’m permanently on energy-saving mode.

At a certain age, you learn that energy is a valuable resource and should not be squandered on unnecessary activity.

Young people may call this laziness. I call it responsible energy management.

Before I get out of my chair, I conduct a brief cost-benefit analysis. Is the task urgent? Is anything leaking, smoking, ringing, or making a noise it shouldn’t? Can the job wait until I’m already headed in that direction? Most importantly, is there a chance someone else will do it first?

This is not procrastination. It is efficiency.

Experienced people understand the importance of combining trips. If I’m going to the kitchen, I’ll take the empty coffee cup, return the newspaper, check the thermostat, and investigate whatever I forgot to get the last time I went to the kitchen.

That last part happens frequently.

I also believe in giving problems time to solve themselves. Many supposed emergencies disappear if you wait long enough. The person calling may leave a message. The dog may stop barking. The strange noise in the garage may turn out to be the neighbor working on something he should have left alone.

Of course, some tasks must be handled immediately. Coffee needs to be poured. Recliners need to be tested. Weather reports must be checked several times in case the weather changed its mind.

The key is knowing what matters and pacing yourself accordingly.

I’m not lazy. I’m preserving valuable resources for a future emergency.

Or possibly for a nap.

The Old Curmudgeon

PS: If you need me, I’ll be recharging. Please keep your voice down.