Fuel for the Journey

When our vehicles are low on fuel, the gas light comes on and we have about 15 - 20 miles before there is trouble.  We try to avoid waiting for the warning light, but sometimes it happens.  Wise people head right to the gas station.  People in a hurry will keep going, hoping the fumes won't run out before they reach their destination.  People with too much on their list will keep going, hoping the fumes will carry them home.  I coasted into the gas station once in high school and I ran out of gas once on the freeway with my 2 year old because I forgot to stop. Neither moment felt comfortable.

I caught a cold yesterday, I tried to complete two full work weeks of work.  Usually, I take the second Friday off to re-cooperate so I can have enough energy to do my job and to live a little rather than just going between work and bed.  This week, I tried to finish the week.  By 9:30 Friday morning the insides of my head felt like they were trying to get out.  I made it through the day on fumes.  I've parked myself on the couch today.  My eyes want to close, my head wants to explode.  I feel horrible.

So, it is back to listen to your body.  Listen to what it tells you.  Listen and take care of it.  There are people who can run themselves into the ground with their busy schedules and they seem to take pride in it.  But, why?  Why should we run ourselves into the ground?  Why should we be proud that every minute is taken with something on our list?  Why did I try to push myself farther than I know is good for me?

Now I can't focus on my homework because it makes my eyes tired.  A trip up the stairs wears me out.  If only I had listened.  If only I had done what I know is right for me and not gotten swayed by thinking I could handle it.

We have our own gas tanks, our energy stores.  So many of us run on fumes.  We walk through our days doing the bare minimum tasks because we only have a little fuel and we need to make sure that we don't run out of fuel before our list is finished.  Or, we speed through everything in the hopes that we will be coasting fast enough to finish before the tank runs dry.

I will watch my fuel guage, I will make sure I don't let my tank run dry.  I won't put my pedal to the metal when not necessary and wear out my car by trying to exceed its limits.  I will remember to listen.