I've had the same car for the last 4 1/2 years and this morning I am
handing over the keys. I was 25 years
old when I received a significant pay increase at my swanky Beverly Hills real
estate investment group and I went out and bought myself a BMW X5. It was safe, luxurious, and my commute was
about 1.2 miles each way so gas mileage was a moot point. It was my first major purchase of my young
adult life and I negotiated the whole deal myself. About a year later I was laid off from that same
swanky Beverly Hills firm and the one thing that stayed with me as I left all
keys with reception was my car key. It
was time for new chapters and new adventures and me and my silver truck were
going to hit the road together.
We went all over LA from
Downtown in the East to Malibu in the West for dinners with girlfriends in tow
to dozens of job interviews. We traveled
to Las Vegas, San Francisco, San Diego, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, and at
least a half dozen times to Palm Springs.
We experienced and survived three significant breakups and drove off
leaving only our taillights as a farewell sign.
To say there is some sentimental value attached to this otherwise basic
steel box with an engine is an understatement of gigantic proportions.
My recent move has led to a 40 mile, each way, commute. This, coupled with gas prices climbing
towards $5.00 per gallon, have led to me to sell the SUV and invest in a more
sensible hybrid vehicle. It's the right
thing to do and makes a ton of sense.
Also, it's just a car! But
then...why am I so sad and feeling as if I am saying farewell to a dear friend?
Change is hard and often intimidating.
The unknown lies ahead and can be perceived as fearful, but with a slight
shift in perspective it can also be exciting.
My mom made the comment to me that she can empathize with my
sentimental response to this exchange of vehicles in my life as she thinks her
car can bring her good luck...or bad.
I'm not sure what my car-ma would be for the last 4 1/2 years. It has certainly been an adventure filled with
various highs and lows influenced by the fact that it has been the most
strenuous economic period of our lifetime.
Maybe changing it up isn't such a terrible thing. It's an election year, I'm turning 30, and
wouldn't mind the feeling of some wind at my back as I look forward to new
adventures. So here's to hoping that
Toyota makes cars with great car-ma!
The Challenge - Day 27
Physical
It's easy to stick with what is familiar. Change can be uncomfortable or hard, but also
full of surprising results. Change up
your workout routine and see what happens.
Even if you just give it a week before returning to more familiar
habits.
Personal
I often avoid major changes until I feel compelled to take action -- or
perhaps the Universe takes action for me and I am suddenly in the throes of
change (hello, layoffs). Is there anything
in your life right now that you have thought about changing but are too afraid
to do so? Perhaps it is the status of
your job, romantic relationship, living situation...you name it! I dare you to make a change and be open to
what might happen next.
Spiritual
I am actually not going to step in and preach about changing your
spiritual habits. Rather, I think that
praying about change can be a very powerful activity. Someone once shared with me "Where
thoughts go, energy flows". Pray,
or just meditate, about being open to the change that might be pulling on your
heart strings or circling your mind.
Being mentally prepared is half the battle.
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