PEOPLE, LIKE CARS, SHOULD UNDERGO REGULAR SERVICES TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE STILL ROADWORTHY.

ZYGMUNT BAUMAN

Do you remember your first car? It might have been flash, it might have been run down, it might have been the car you dreamt of or the car you were gifted from your parents. It might have been the coolest car in town or the car you spent time pushing to the nearest servo with your mates because the fuel tank had a slow leak. It might have been old and tired and ran on the smell of an oily rag. These days we consider those old cars classics. No longer do they look tired and worn out but clean and shiny and often peoples’ pride and joys or collectors’ items.

Do you ever consider that how you care for your car could be a reflection on how you care for yourself?

Looking after your car is a good thing but how are you looking after yourself today? Have you had a quick look around to see if anything needs attention? Is your battery nearly flat? Caring for yourself is the most important thing you need to do daily. The first Gospel that people will encounter is the one that they see in front of them, which is you. If you’re run down, stressed or anxious, frustrated, what’s that saying to the person standing or sitting in front of you? If you were a car you would probably get sent to the mechanic. Don’t wait for a dead battery or a flat tyre, care for yourself like you would your most prized possession.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

• What do you do to look after yourself?
• How is looking after yourself important for the works you do with the Society?

From: Firewood for the soul, vol. 1, A Reflexion Book for the Whole Vincentian Family
St. Vincent de Paul Society, Queensland, Australia.
Text by: Samantha Hill.