Fill 'er Up

Image Pixabay under Creative Commons License.

I know, I know. I haven't been keeping up with weekly blog entries. Other items have clogged my schedule and kept me from writing. Don't worry, it's because of some exciting stuff. It's still causing some stress, and something happened today that reminded me to "fill 'er up."

My car's gasoline tank has been at or below 1/4 full for the whole week. I couldn't seem to find the time to stop at a gas station even though I drive past half a dozen or more every single day. On Wednesday, I took the car to the other side of town (because there is no longer a manufacture dealership on my side of town anymore) for a recall fix. Knowing the tank was near empty and my schedule full, I just told myself it'd be fine for another couple days.

There are those drivers who will gasp in horror at something like this, but today the gas up light came on. Calm down folks; it's just a dashboard illumination--nothing to worry about (right?). I left early enough for work and stopped at the corner gas station and fed my car the overpriced refined oil. As the glubbing sound of pump started, I relaxed back in the driver's seat with the sun streaming through the window, warming my face. I momentarily closed my eyes and realize how tired I was. I realized that I needed to fill up my own gas tank.

A busy schedule, worrying, and not sleeping well, leaves for a depleted emotional gas tank. I was drained and until I found the time to "fill 'er up," I was going be stranded on the side of the road. I had taken on too much while not taking care of myself like I should have. My car can't go very far with a low tank. Why did I think I could run on a 1/4 tank of emotional gasoline all week?

Everyone refills their tank differently. Octane levels are individualized. Some simply want to relax with NetFlix; others party like it's Y2K. I write and find other artistic outlets. It doesn't matter what you do, just make time for self-love.

Filling up my car's gas tank was a good reminder to stop, or at least slow down, and refuel my emotional gas tank. No matter what or how much we think we can do, we can do it better on full.


Copyright 2018 Jennifer E. Miller