by Lauch Henry
The following conversation was recently overheard somewhere on our planet:
Jamie: “Hey Dad, would you tell me about life?”
Father: “Well, Jamie, life is like a trip by car from here to there. The ‘here’ is where you are right now. The ‘there,’ you never know until you reach it. And the car is you. The fun is in the journey, in the going from here to there.”
Jamie: “What does that mean?”
Father: “It means that to enjoy life you must experience it in the present as it occurs. We spend far too much time reliving our unpleasant past experiences, as if they could be changed or anticipating trouble that might come. Traveling this way we just don’t have much fun.”
Jamie: “That’s too bad. Why do people do that?”
Father: “Our cars are in bad shape and loaded down with stuff. And I mean stuff! Accepted from our parents, grandparents, and other well meaning individuals. Much of it, they had previously accepted without question and passed along as needed for the trip.
“I can hear my father now, Always remember... You have to... Smart people don’t... Only idiots... Don’t get me wrong. They all meant well. But some of it, I now understand, was awful stuff.”
Jamie: “Did you do that to me?”
Father: “I used to, but I don’t anymore. Now what I do is try to show you options and their possible consequences and let you choose.”
Jamie: “Yes. That’s how it feels. That’s why I asked.”
Father: “Each of us has a set of these old tools in a box stashed in the truck. Here are some fairly common ones:
• A pair of pliers covered with rust—Look out for number one.
• A screwdriver with a broken tip—Stay away from those ‘@*!# S¥&%’
• An adjustable wrench that doesn’t adjust—No pain. No gain.
• An oil can with a hole in it—Don’t trust your feeling. THINK!
• A piece of a wire rolled into a ball—Always get as much as you can.
• A hammer with a broken claw—Keep busy. Don’t be lazy.
• Two bricks in a bag—Real men don’t...Real women don’t...
“And there are many others.
“Sitting on the dashboard is an old, outdated map that’s torn along its creases. It shows a single road called Life is hard that many people follow. This road is full of ruts and potholes and strewn with rocks. The trip for those who follow it is one of much discomfort, interspersed with fixing flats. Most of the time they feel like victims having no control. Infrequent, pleasant moments are disrupted by their thinking, ‘too good to last.’ Bad stuff is surely on the way.”
Jamie: “Doesn’t sound like much fun, Dad. Why are they always fixing flats? Isn’t there a better road?”
Father: “Yes, Jamie, there are other routes. But many who would like to change feel overwhelmed. Others think, ‘That’s how it is and how it always will be.’ I used to travel that road myself. No more. Not since Avatar.”
Jamie: “How’s that?”
Father: “Now I ride in a car that I keep in good condition. I tune it regularly and do preventive maintenance. I dumped my box of rusty, broken tools. My maps are up-to-date. I travel roads like I decide and I’m not a victim. Filled with appreciation, I enjoy the scenery of each moment. Sometimes I stop, amazed to fully comprehend the wonders that each day presents.”
Jamie: “What’s Avatar?”
Father: “Avatar is the ultimate tool kit that can be used to recondition any vehicle, so you can ride in comfort. It also comes with current maps, so you can change your route at will. It’s really a great way to make the trip of life. The Avatar tools are truly top of the line.”
Jamie: “That’s the way I’d like to travel, Dad. With Avatar. Thanks.”Lauch Henry, Brooklyn Heights, New York
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