It hit me immediately.

I mean it didn’t matter, it was too late, but I recognized my mistake mere seconds after making it.

I was running a bit behind for a meeting and had decided to take the interstate instead of the busy side streets.. Great idea- problem was, I absentmindedly got onto the turnpike by mistake. I knew it didn’t have as many exits, but I had NOOO idea how far I’d have to travel before coming upon my first opportunity to turn around. A 20 minute trip turned into a full hour ordeal.

Oh, and did I mention my gas tank was on “E?”

There’s nothing quite like that sick feeling you get when you are living the consequences of a poor decision and you have no choice but to ride it out…

literally 🙄

 

At first I was hot-angry.. totally worked up, wildly ticked off and obsessing over the icon on my dash display warning me that I needed gas. It took a while for me to get a grip, breathe and formulate a plan which included calling the person I was scheduled to meet to tell her of my predicament; she assured me it was no big deal.

(Thank God for cell phones)

Then I pressed a few buttons and was able to read that I still had 30 miles to go before I truly ran out of gas.

(Thank God for modern car conveniences.)

I looked out the window –really looked– blue sky, ocean, birds..

(Thank God for the beauty of this earth- thank God I have eyes to see it.)

By the time I got home later that afternoon (yes-I got gas) I had time to assemble the day’s lessons in my mind:

Pay attention!

Don’t catastrophize. 

Be patient.

Maintain perspective.

Create a plan.

Count your blessings.

Embrace “the ride.” 

and oh yeah,

Don’t run around with “your tank” on E.