Fill ‘er Up
I know a competitive teenage boy who thrives on winning - at any sport. So much so, he declares before a seemingly unimportant backyard basketball game, “I haven’t won in a while. I need to fill up!” Winning fills his body, mind, and soul. I laughed, but we all need something to fill us up. This athletic kid resupplies with winning.
How do you refuel?
When you read that question, do you know immediately what the answer is for you? What strategies do you rely on when you are feeling depleted? We all love those times in our lives when we know exactly what achievement or engagement will top us off. We also have times when our charge is running low.
Along our journey, our bodies are the vehicle, with self-warming seats and a moon roof. Our minds are the engine, gears for forward movement, reverse, and park when we stand still in doubt. Our souls are the windshield, the vision of our travels down the road. A window to look out, clear and clean, and to view inwardly, too. It's important to prepare for our trek by filling up the key supplies: gas, oil, and washer fluid.
Perhaps, it’s a hug and kiss from a child that does the trick! Or the perfect compliment from a spouse that can replenish for days. That raise in pay, or a big promotion, brings a fullness to the wallet. There is always exercise to boost endorphins and lift one's spirits, releasing stress and anxiety. These pumps at the station are toppers that can feel temporary and short-lived. Provisional and quick, making the road smoother for a short trip.
A fulfilling job that makes the days seem meaningful and matter, or creating art or music, pervades the soul and enlarges our outlook. Winning at a sport or competition that one has worked hard at is what fills the tank. Filling up with these achievements can get more miles per gallon, keeping us moving longer and faster.
One of our writers swears by being a lifelong learner to keep her tank full. There are classes to take, new skills to learn, and history to remind ourselves about. That secret ambition to play the piano despite arthritis in our fingers can happen if we try. Oh, and painting! Who among us hasn’t dreamed of the ability to paint something besides a wall? Could this fill-up give us better mileage for longer trips?
Healing from a physical injury or illness takes a gallon of patience and persistence. What greases your willpower to keep moving? If your heart is broken, your outlook on the road ahead can be foggy and streaky. What do you use to clean off the grime? Prayer, music, or a visit with friends? A creative adventure can fill the tank and wash the window! It’s good to check the rearview mirror to make sure we haven’t missed a fascinating roadside attraction.
What is it that charges and sustains you for the long haul? Some of us have been driving for a long time! Hopefully, we have defined a set of activities or attitudes that can imbue our everyday, our ordinary day, and saturate us for a long life. Awareness of beauty. An attitude of gratitude. A faith grown strong through many challenges. We all need a point of view from which things can make our hearts brim. These practices grease the engine and make the view brighter as we head down the road.
Not to suggest we need to be running with elation, like a speeding Ferrari. It’s ok to cruise along with contentment and satisfaction in a paid-off Toyota. Knowing that we are running close to empty is the first step toward refilling our tank of energy with premium petroleum. So pull up to the pump of your desire and fill ‘er up to the top. The road ahead may be shorter than the one behind, but as we cross the byways and highways, it’s best to move with a full tank.
Bit by bit, that’s all she wrote…