My new car is now four months old, and I still really like it. None of the typical 'buyer's remorse' or shame-based guilt (that I wrote about back in September) has carried me away. I can easily say that this is my favorite car that we've ever owned. In fact, I said that exact phrase to someone just this morning.
On the way home from taking my son to the airport in my tech-toy this morning, I made a couple of program calls (hands-free, of course). During one of them, David S. asked me what kind of car I drove. I commented about the randomness of that question, and he explained,
"My wife has a car that helps her stay in her lane, and I think I hear the same warning alarm over your speakerphone that I hear on hers."
I laughed and confirmed the brand of my ride, then said something about how much I've come to rely on some of the safety features that keep me between the lines, warn of danger, and even put on the brakes when I don't see obstacles in time.
I don't know how I missed it then, but when I got home and reflected on that call, the metaphors became striking, if not a bit humorous. I wish I had something in real life that would help me steer back into my lane when straying into other people's problems. How cool would it be to have a little alarm go off when my thoughts fade into fantasy? And how about a gizmo that would help me see trouble coming down the road sooner so I don't spend so much time slamming on the brakes?
Yeah, it's probably obvious where I'm going. There is a product that provides precisely those features for people that are willing to work for them, and it's been available a lot longer than the 21st Century technology that's now showing up in our cars. It's called a 12 Step program. The only requirement to use the readily available safety features is
"...the desire to stop addictive behavior"
because it works if you work it.
I didn't mean for this to turn into a 12 Step commercial, but so be it. I believe it saved my life and that my Higher Power directed me to the people and lessons I've found there.
I mean, it's not a new car, but on the other hand, the cost-to-value ratio is a lot better.
–JR
Comments