Early last week my sister, brother-in-law and nephew all left for California in my car with graduations, parties, and family visiting ahead of them. The car situation, not part of the plan but an obstacle easily overcome, has left me as a driver of a pickup truck for two weeks. That’s not really the interesting part (which I’m sure you’re glad to know) but it is strange how these little occurrences in life that force us to think quickly and adapt actually become the things that prove to us our resilience, albeit only minor in this situation.
It’s reminded me how often I tend to find a way. Making something okay, that is my goal. Knowing it all will work out is a nice idea, but for me that’s usually only reinforced by the fact that I make it work out. And isn’t that what we’d all like to count on? To know we’re resourceful and flexible enough to make it work. More importantly, that we do it in a way wherein we don’t have to worry about it.
Worry is, perhaps, one of my only real struggles. It is so broadly flexible in itself that I have to be careful not to let it take over. Will I ever want to run again? Will I ever find a happier work environment? Will I ever get around to painting my kitchen? Will I marry? Have children? Get another dog? Lose ten pounds? Go to Europe? Go back to school? Go to the grocery store and actually stick to my list? I could go on. Oh, how we all could go on.
But then something happens, like a foreign car needing a rare and expensive part that can be ordered and delivered in a week to ten days, and I’m driving a truck. I’m taking a different way home, just for the heck of it. I’m driving with the windows down and the radio up. I’m appreciating the simplicity of something different, of being flexible, of realizing that of all the things that do matter, so many things really do not.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I sure do like your view of life. You’ve got a great way of making lemonade without adding too much sugar. If you know what I’m saying. If not, I’m sure you’ll figure it out because you are so resilient that way.
I always find it so amazing how things tend to have a way of working themselves out. Sure we still have to stress and agonize over them, but in the end it often finds a way of shaking out okay.
As I sat trying to capture my own thoughts on this for a response, I found the story below posted at the Naked Soul… I thought it would be a nice comment for you:
There was once a farmer in a village that had a horse that he treasured. One day the horse ran away. The farmers neighbor came over to express his condolences, “I am sorry that your horse ran away” said the neighbor. In return the farmer said “You never know, who knows if this is good or bad”. The next day the prized horse returned bringing with it eleven wild horses it had met during its adventures. The neighbor seeing this came over to congratulate the farmer on his good fortune. Once again the farmer said “You never know …”. The next day the farmer’s son was thrown from one of the wild horses as he was trying to tame it. The fall from the horse resulted in the son breaking his leg. The neighbor came again to express how bad he felt about the son’s injury. For the third time the farmer stated “You never know …” Shortly there after the King sent out his soldiers to draft all of the young men from the village to fight in a war but because of his son’s broken leg he was not taken off to war. Hearing the news, the neighbor came over and exclaimed to the farmer had fortunate a man he was to have his son spared. You can guess what the farmer said to that.
- Author Unknown
This is a fantastic perspective. It can be SO hard to let go of control when you know you’re good at making things happen.
But oh what freedom comes when we release our grip a little! I think one of the most important things a person can do in life is learn to let go and have faith in what’s to come.
I’m a worry wart by nature and lineage. When I was in therapy, my counselor had me write about some of the big questions like “what if I never get married?” It was really, really hard and emotional to picture my life if that never happened. But once I made peace with it and thought through every detail, it didn’t seem as scary. I didn’t feel the need to worry about it as much. Maybe that could be something to try when the worrying thoughts creep up on ya.
That last line really speaks to me. YES!
Enjoy your time with the new ride. Hope you find some answers on your new route home.