What is “Great Condition”?

Recently, while detailing my car, I had an epiphany. I’ve been the sole owner of this very reliable and trustworthy 12 year old car. All the miles, dings, seat wear and tear, paint chipping, etc., are results of my usage and events that have occurred during my ownership. Through faults of my own and others, it has been through fender benders, scrapes and swipes. It has endured hurricanes and other salty and abrasive environments which caused some of the cosmetic imperfections. And still, this old car has safely carried me on MANY long and comfy roadtrips!

The condition of this old car is a reflection of my care for it and the life it has had with me. It may have the chipped paint, scratches and torn seat, which I like to refer to as “character”, but under the hood… this old car is in GREAT condition! It has always been serviced and maintained by the dealership. Some of them aren’t the greatest, but I’ve had more positive experiences than bad. If I happen to experience a bad service department, I simply find another one and give them a shot. 

I’ve taken care of this old car the best I could… and in turn, it has taken care of me. Ironically, even the time I ran out of gas because I decided to test how far I could go with the gas light on. It gave me all the warnings and was even “kind enough” to shut off in a parking lot and not on the side of a highway. 🤣

How Do You “Self Care”?

So I’m detailing the inside of the car and begin to condition the leather on the drivers seat. I’m REALLY noticing the shine and how great it looked after being cleaned up, even with the seat tear. I became aware of how I always feel this way when I detail my car… which is pretty consistently at about once a week. Although sometimes, life just happens and it goes a few weeks to a month before I make the time to do it. I’m recognizing how attentive I am when taking care of it, whether it’s cleaning or getting scheduled maintenance done. That’s when I received this “message download”. 

It is so reminiscent of how we take care of ourselves. We may look like we’ve been a little tattered, wearing visible scars of life’s treatment of us. But on the inside, that’s the true telling of our state of being. Are we strong and healthy on the inside in spite of what life has thrown at us to deface us? Do we get back up and keep running after we fall during our trials? Are we nourishing our mind, body and soul with water, healthy food and proper nutrition to ensure we are able to see light and limit darkness? Is meditation and rest a priority to give our systems the chance to reset and heal? 

No Facades

Maybe it’s a blessing that “we don’t look like what we’ve been through”. However, please know and believe that it is ALSO a blessing to be able to SHOW our scars while still moving through life like well oiled machines! Or cars. Or baby Buddhas. Whichever analogy you’d prefer.  Because let’s be real, there are folks who choose to get “paint jobs” and “flashy new rims”, but neglect maintenance that will keep them running smoothly or at all.

Some folks are more concerned with maintaining a facade rather than dealing with how they feel, physically and mentally. And just like a neglected car which will eventually clunk out, requiring extensive maintenance to get back on the road, eventually, those folks will have no choice but to face the reality of their innermost and deepest shadows.

Choosing Maintenance

Embrace the courage it takes to focus on addressing shadows that hinder you from seeing light and being light rather than trying to hide them! In due time, you will either care less about your external scars and wear them with honor, or maybe you will choose to give yourself an external makeover to somewhat match your renewed sense of wholeness. The idea is to not exhaust ourselves on things that don’t contribute to our true healing which is wholly internal. 

Whatever way you choose to show yourself, just know that you can keep “running” if you choose to take care of yourself from the inside out. I truly believe that when we focus on the things that matter most… the things that keep us grounded and level in mind… the rest will fall into place. The wounds will heal and the scars will fade. But even if all of the physical isn’t to your liking, those things are a testament to the journey you traveled to get to where you are today. Those scars are just lessons and reminders of how life prepared you for this moment and every moment to come. 

Will you choose to continue to take care of your scheduled maintenance?  Externally AND internally? 

A car isn’t very useful with an engine that doesn’t run, regardless of how pretty it looks. 

Yours Truly,

KJ

p.s. 

The sun don’t shine always… but when it rains… PLAY IN IT! DUH! Except lightning… don’t  play in that… stay in and be safe. Meditate or something. 

Peace and blessings!