The car ate my driver's license.
OK, OK . . . I know that sounds lame. Unfortunately, it really happened over break, and it is just the cherry on top of the banana split that has been my life of late.
I normally try to not to fall in line with popular culture, doing something for the sake of jumping on the "tradition bandwagon." However, this was the catalyst for my making a New Year's resolution.
My car has always caused me trouble, but this time I was not the only one stressed about my misfortune. My little Geo Metro stalled out on me -- in an intersection. Joy!
To say that I did not handle this situation well would be an understatement. After five minutes of futile efforts to reach my husband for help on my cell phone and listening to our 5-year-old add to the honking clamor of distraught motorists, I got out of my car and yelled at the drivers something along the lines of, "My hazard lights mean that if I could move, I would have!"
If two nice gentlemen hadn't offered to push me out of the way, I might have ended up in serious trouble.
Apparently I have some "issues" to work out regarding controlling my emotions and taking responsibility for my actions -- so I resolved to improve upon this in the new year.
Just in case I didn't quite get the point, however, letting someone harass me over a parking space got me upset enough to lock my keys in the car. I had to call a locksmith, for whom I had to fill out a form requiring the vehicle identification number. And as I leaned over the hood to get the VIN off of the windshield, my driver's license slipped out of my wallet -- and disappeared into the car.
It's easy to joke about the futility of New Year's resolutions, but I believe that as humans one of our finest traits is our innate need to progress. Being able to identify areas in our lives that we need to improve and having the courage to move forward instead of just complaining should be applauded!
A few caveats, however, regarding resolutions. Setting a grandiose goal is not pragmatic. Striving to lose weight and improve health is one thing, but pushing to lose fifty pounds in a matter of months will only drive you nuts!
Make goals that push you out of your comfort zone but are within reasonable reach. Once they're met, you can start over again with a new goal.
Beware of punishing yourself if you "slip," like missing a scheduled workout or eating a forbidden food. Acknowledge your error and resolve to not let it happen again. Don't get disheartened and give up!
Being human, we make mistakes. What makes us unique is learning and growing from them.
Oh -- my mechanic found my license in the fender. Stuck with that picture until 2007.
Damn!
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