For the past year, a pesky yellow exclamation point has frequently appeared on my car’s dashboard. That unavoidable low tire pressure light came on about once a month to start and appeared a little, or a lot, more frequently this summer.
I’d stop by the Valvoline location near my home and I’d always have whoever was on-duty fill up the back driver-side tire. It was only that one tire that ever needed attention. Although they were never bothered by my semi-regular stops, I’d feel guilty asking for help.
I stopped by frequently enough that I’d recognize staff from my past visits and I’d always drive out of the bay exclaiming “I promise to get the tire looked at this week!” and I’d receive a thumbs up in return. But, a few weeks would go by and I’d pull in yet again and ask for more air in the same tire.
One day last week it hit me that I should actually get the tire examined and not just let it drift off my to-do list like it had for the past 12 months.
I stopped by a locally owned tire business close to where I grew up and much to my surprise, it was a $5 fix. They removed a nail (nails are always attracted to bare feet and tires I’m told) and patched the hole. It was a 15 minute job. Even better, it was a lovely, sunny day and I was able to sit on a porch swing while my tire was being patched.
“Why didn’t I do this earlier?” I thought to myself.
It made me realize how many times I’ve gone out of my way to avoid a simple solution to a problem that would have been a “$5 fix” both figuratively and literally.
I was really struggling about 10 years ago with a situation in my life and a trusted advisor said “it’s like you keep putting buckets down to catch the rain instead of patching the hole in the roof.”
Figuratively of course.
Although after this whole tire situation, it does sound like something I would do.
There have been seasons of my life where I’ve just been so incredibly exhausted but I would talk myself into doing more or working even harder on a project. When my plate is too full, my energy deflates like a leaky tire and I develop an eye twitch, my body’s version of a dashboard warning light.
When I’m at my limit, I end up eating poorly and I find myself not thinking clearly. When I’m past my limit, I feel like I’m driving a car at full speed with only three working tires. My heart just doesn’t feel like it’s in the right place in those moments. In these moments, I also feel lonely.
Slowing down, or fixing the root of my problem instead of locating a quick, temporary fix, has been a lifelong struggle for me. I’m a work in progress.
I hope we can all find ways to fuel our lives in a healthy fashion and of course, discover bravery to address issues that keep us from being our best selves.
Glitter on the Sidewalk 