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10 Life Lessons From The Highway (Part 3 of 10)

LESSON #3:

Sometimes our vehicle stalls or runs out of gas and we have to seek help in the form of fuel, or in having it towed.

A basic rule of the road is to always ensure you have adequate fuel to make the journey, or at least have options for top-up if and when needed. However, it is not uncommon to experience an unexpected scenario which, despite your best planning, creates a problematic outcome for you.

In life we never know where help will come from, and we hope that help will come when we need it. Some situations cannot be planned for, even if they can be avoided. Like having an illness, or worse. As humans we are prone to illnesses, and sometimes critical illnesses.

Individuals have been cut down by illnesses in the prime of their lives. Despite how physically healthy someone appears, there is always something lurking in the shadows. Further, accidents happen, sometimes with tragic outcomes. Then what?

Whatever the cause, the reality is that sometimes the result is that of our own strength, or due to the lack thereof, we need outside help. Where will that help come from?

It is therefore important that we live our lives recognizing that it is always wise to invest in helping others, not with the focus on getting something in return, but for the main reason that it is the good thing to do. Beyond that, our generosity goes a long way in establishing goodwill with others.

There might come a point when we are unable to extend help to others, even if we are able to afford to pay for any help we need. However, the time may well come when something that money cannot buy, becomes needed. The help we need might then be dependent on someone else’s generosity.

We generally aim to live our lives working for, and expecting, the very best that life has to offer. However, despite our best efforts, bad things happen to good people. It is best to be prepared.

Despite our best efforts, we sometimes run out of fuel, or are otherwise incapacitated and are then totally dependent on others
Categories
inspiration

10 Life Lessons From The Highway (Part 2 of 10)

LESSON #2:

Sometimes you have to rely on other motorists to help you out. Perhaps other motorists give you a pass so that you can get ahead.

Often times we find ourselves needing support or assistance from someone else, even strangers. The saying ‘no man is an island’ provides a succinct representation of the truth of the interdependence of humanity.

Sometimes we find ourselves on our face, broke and helpless. Without someone stepping in we could find the struggle too hard for us to bear, or ‘late for the party’ and missing out on opportunities that we might have been pursuing and so badly need. Maybe we have some emergency and need to get somewhere FAST!

Despite our best planning and precautions, we never know when that time will come, and from whom that help will come. One thing I find doesn’t work well: trying to force someone to give us a pass. On the roads we are often at the mercy of other motorists, and a polite ‘request’ is sometimes all it takes to get that assistance we need to get ahead.

Similarly, we need to respectfully and politely seek help, knowing that it is the prerogative of the person or organization we have reached out to for this help, to extend such help or to deny it. Sometimes, being polite, even after apparently being refused, can cause a change of mind thus securing the help we need.

Oh, and let’s not forget to acknowledge, and appreciate, the help we get. We might not get the chance to return the favour to the source of our help, but we can definitely ‘pay it forward’ by offering helping hands to someone else.

Let us not forget the hands that have fed us, lifted us, or shoved us out of the way of danger, but be willing to do the same for others.

Life requires changing lanes, and sometimes we need the goodness of others to facilitate that.