December 8th - "I thought you wanted to be an Uber driver?"

The story...

A friend of mine took on an Uber-driver job to earn some extra cash.  He earned the cash, yet more importantly, he expanded his knowledge of people, possibilities, and seemed to develop a propensity toward more doing rather than pontificating and opinionating.  His personal growth from serving and respectfully communicating with a large variety of people was transforming.  Based on his success, I asked the Uber drivers who served me if they experienced similar benefits - they all did.  So, why don't I do the same with some of my open time as a retired engineer/teacher?

Yes, the Uber job seemed to be a good fit for me.  I enjoy conversing with, caring for, and learning from other people.  And, I expect that the job would support my values: humility, service, respect, kindness...  I've the time available and I enjoy being with people.  If a friend asked me to drive them somewhere, I think I'd be pleased to drive them.  So, I decided to do it.  Yet, my car wasn't a good fit.  So, I ordered a 2024 Ford Maverick hybrid as a first step.  Strangely, the demand being far greater than supply resulted in my waiting about two years for my small pickup truck.  My excuse for doing nothing was gone.  Did I find another excuse not to do this good thing?

In 2023, I asked friends of mine if they thought that it would be a good idea for me to buy a "gaming" computer - I offered my justification.  All of them said that it seemed like a good idea, with caution, and only one challenged me: "This sounds like you might be isolating during that computer gaming time, I thought you were planning to serve and grow, in a humble way, as an Uber driver."  What a good friend - yes, we all need good friends.  I planned to Uber drive beginning March 2024 - it didn't happen.  I wonder what might've been?

The only church in town will offer "the" good reason to live, a "best" way to live, friendship opportunities, and ways to work out faith within community.  Why not engage in your church community now?  Or do you want to remain "as is" wondering: "What might've been?"

Just for today...

"Am I heaping up resentments, excuses, and regrets that have the potential to destroy me?  I don't have to be buried under them before I address my own problems. I can begin today."   Courage to Change (p. 343)