Question for you….
You’re driving your car. The fuel light comes on. What are you supposed to do?
Of course, that signals that your car is about to run out of gas. Of course, you look for the closest gas station, pull in, and fill it up again.
Or do you? Are you the kind of person that sees that light, ignores it, and hopes that you can go just a few little bit further before refueling? If so, have you ever actually completely run out of gas? Chances are, that if that ever has happened to you, it wasn’t good.
Your car can’t run on empty! Neither can we! But how often do we try to?
Do you know that, just like your car, we have a “physiological” gas light? Our bodies have been wonderfully created to send us signals that we are “out of gas”.
It’s different for different people but some of those fuel lights may include increased irritability, extreme fatigue, enhanced inflammation, a queasy stomach, a huge headache, shakiness, and heightened emotionality and tears.
One of the earliest signs that our gas light is about to go on is an increased resting heart rate. It’s telling us that our heart is having to work harder simply so that we can live.
So what are we to do?
If you’ve ignored these signals, chances are that you, too, have run out of gas. Perhaps, you got sick as your immune system broke down. Perhaps, you got injured as your neuromuscular functioning became compromised. Or perhaps, you behaved badly.
You see it is impossible to be our best self when we are running out of gas. When this happens, we lose the ability to unleash the strengths of who we are and make good choices of behavior. The result…..OUT OF GAS!
But there is GOOD NEWS!
Just like your car, when we are running out of gas, we need to pull over and refuel. Just like your car, there is fuel that revives us!
Treat yourself just as you would treat your car! When you find yourself running out of gas, pull over, and refuel!
Today, I encourage you to check your gas gauge! Just as you would take care of your car, TAKE CARE OF YOU! You’ll be able to go much further after filling up! You’ll be glad you did!