Last week I shared a story about my first vehicle that somehow got me through my high school years. There were some great lessons associated with that first vehicle, but I did sell it prior to leaving for college. I recouped one-half of our initial investment, and these funds would be a part of my second purchase almost a year later.
I still remember the day that my grandmother called me at college and told me she came across a vehicle that might be a good fit for me. Sure enough, I got a ride home one weekend, and we bought that car. I had saved some additional money through various jobs, and she helped me with the balance.
It was a 1982 Chevy Chevette diesel. It didn’t have air conditioning because the engine couldn’t maintain speed on the road with an air conditioner running. The retired couple that had bought the car hadn’t driven it much so it looked new, even though it was very limited in what it could do.
The “vette” made a unique clanging sound due to the diesel engine. It wouldn’t go over 60 miles an hour and struggled to make it up steep hills if I didn’t get it up to speed prior to the incline. I remember being passed by bikers on several occasions. I remember a dog chasing me and actually passing the car once. The poor dog never caught a car before and didn’t know what to do.
I remember telling my now wife that I would be picking her up in my “vette” only to see her surprise when I drove up clanging to a stop. Not all “vette’s” go fast, look sporty, have a sunroof, and have a roaring engine.
The Chevette did get me to work every day after class. In fact, it got me everywhere I needed to go through college and into my first few years of working as a CPA. It was hot in the summer, but I turned the air on high by rolling down all the windows. That little car was a blessing and met my needs by doing what it was made to do.
There’s a lot to learn from that little car. How often do we limit what we pursue, achieve, and impact because we feel inadequate. We don’t look the way we think we should look. We don’t have the talents that we think we need. We look around us and see others more qualified, more talented, more capable than us, and we shut down and settle. We settle for something comfortable but not what we really want.
Rather than limiting and settling, we need to focus on purpose and passion. If we could recognize that desire, passion, and a willingness to sacrifice are more important than inherent talent or outward appearance, we would realize that we may be in a unique situation to have impact beyond our understanding.
I’m not sure what may be limiting you today. You won’t get everything you strive for, but you will always get everything you settle for in life. Don’t settle! Don’t let what you see, hear, or think keep you from reaching your potential and pursuing your purpose and passion.
You may drive up clanging, windows rolled down, and be passed by chasing dogs, but you can still go where you need to go! Don’t ever lose sight of purpose! A clear focus on purpose will negate all those negative thoughts and feelings!
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