The Theory of Unintended Consequences

Ron’s big hand on my shoulder, shaking me gently.

“Time to wake up,” he says.

I snuggle my head in the pillow and slide further under the covers.

Buried inside the bed, it’s soft and warm, and I could sleep for another hour.

Outside, the temperature is in the twenties. Snow on the ground. Biting wind. Ron wants me to drive him to the train station so that he doesn’t have to walk the icy path.

“The theory of unintended consequences,” I joke.

Ron and I have been talking about this theory lately – how one, small, seemingly irrelevant action can set off a whole chain of unintended consequences.

Rewind to two years ago. My first official day as a freelance writer. I wasn’t simply embarking on a career makeover, I was embarking on a life makeover. Instead of forcing myself to abide by a strict schedule (shower at 6:30am, eat at 7:00am, commute at 7:30am, etc.), I was going to practice listening to my body and find its natural cycles. I’d eat when I was hungry, sleep when I was tired, and wake up when I felt rested.

But...

Leaving my job as a lawyer to pursue my new approach to life meant we had to move from our housing (provided by the university where I had worked) to the open real estate market...
Which caused us to dip into our saving to cover the high rent in California...
Which put stress on my frugal husband...
Which made him start searching for a higher paying job...
Which led us to move across the country to a more affordable community...
Which led us to sell one of our two cars that couldn’t handle the 3000 mile drive...
Which led us to an apartment within walking distance of a train station...
Which led me to get up early this morning.

Now wait a second...