Loaner

What an interesting experience this week.  I went to start my car and ...nothing it wouldn't start.  Oh well, so I called roadside assistance who generously jump started my car and I made a bee line for the car dealership to get the problem diagnosed.  

After a brief wait at the dealer, they determined that keeping my car was the best option and they offered me a loaner car.

"Sure I'd like a loaner I said", hoping that I could still salvage getting something done that day if I at least had wheels.

As I waited out front, out of the corner of my eye I saw a fire engine red car pulling into the lot.  It was bright, obnoxious and apparently mine, I realized as they pulled right in front of me and handed me the keys.

"Um do you have anything else a little less...ummm red"?

And they did not so I climbed into my chariot and away I went. On the inside the car was neutral, pretty basic, and on the outside it was an attention getter.

Not too long after I drove away, ran a few errands and listened to some tunes I soon forgot about the outside billboard.  But there was something I noticed.  

I felt strange, out of sorts, not myself.  I felt like everyone was gawking at the rolling red freak show.  Sure it worked, it took me where I needed to go. It got the job done, but it didn't feel right.  It felt like I was trying on someone else's clothes, I felt like an 'poser'.  

I likened it to those moments when we're doing what we need to do, but not in the 'skin' we were meant for, but in a shiny new red, feels too obnoxious vehicle.  Maybe that's what happens when we 'try' and be someone we're not, do something that is not in our strengths, or jump into a job or career for the money and not because we can offer the best of us in the experience.

Sure driving the mini fire truck got me where I needed to go, but when I arrived it failed to feel like the journey was worth it.  

We are best served to wait if needed so we can stay in our strengths, arrive in style and feel the journey was surely worth every head turn.

So what's red that you need to 'trade in' and get back in your own skin, your own strengths ?

I'm back to driving my white convertible and loving every minute of it!

 

 

 

Comments

[Alain Gauthier]

What if you are a "red car type", driving the white convertible could drive you nuts too.

That being said, our story is good and your point is well made. Just a little strong on your expression of dislike for the colour red ;-)

AG
Seize the Day!

[Deb Ingino ~ Strength Leader]

Well, I do like red tomatoes, red roses and red wine but.... red cars, not so much (until my next mid-life crisis I guess)....meanwhile, glad you enjoyed!

Oh and did I mention red markers......

Seize the day indeed!
Deb

[Archie Winningham]

Deb, I love red. But then, that's just me. Note: I DO NOT like red so I can get noticed. As a matter of fact, I almost never like to be in the spotlight for anything. The color red is just one of my favorite colors and always has been.
What I do find strange though about this post is the fact that you don't like to draw attention to your-self. While at the same time, what you do to help others, it shines like new money! Humm. :-)
Great post buddy,
-Archie

[Tammy Stanford]

What a fantastic example! I think the "car" (job) I've been driving is full of trash and I really need to clean it out.

Thanks again, Deb. You just have a way of "seeing" things and presenting them so others can say, "Oohhh, yeah!" :)

[Ashley Logsdon]

Love your story! It really is important to see that we can live our whole lives driving a bad fit and not fully understand it...and sometimes we don't realize the thrill of the ride until it's almost over. Thank you for providing the info you do while families are young--so kids get in the right car to begin with and truly experience the joyride of life!

[Ashley Logsdon]

I love how you've laid it out here. Sometimes people can go most of their lives and never realize they are in a car that merely gets them from point A to point B. How great that you are helping young families get a grasp on it from the get-go, so kids not only get in the right car, they can truly embrace the "joy-ride" of life!

[Deb Ingino ~ My Wired Style]

Archie its all of us doing what each of us are wired to do that makes all the difference in the world. You my friend rock your strength of encouragement!
Thanks you!

[Deb Ingino ~ My Wired Style]

Tammy LOL I've had my car in the condition too! Thanks for your kind words!

[Deb Ingino ~ My Wired Style]

Ashely
Thanks for your comment, a joy ride indeed!
And I bet I know who will be in the drivers seat...little Miss Clara, with little sister, Mom and Dad dutifully in the back. : )