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Your Life is Your Story, Issue #232 – Your Life Check Engine Light
January 26, 2026
Greetings

"Your past is your story up to now. The future is the story yet to come. The present is where you live with that experience, your hopes and your dreams."



Your Life is Your Story Newsletter

January 26, 2026
Your Life is Your Story, Issue #232 – Your Life Check Engine Light

From Tom Gilbert – Editor and Writer, www.your-life-your-story.com

In this Issue:
Opening remarks: Do For Others
Featured Article – Your Life Check Engine Light
Featured Resource – Peace Talks Radio

Opening Remarks: Do For Others

You’ve heard that doing for others is better than doing for yourself. Don’t mistake that as some pollyannish saying. And also, I am not saying you shouldn’t be good to yourself. Quite the contrary.

Right now in the United States, which we citizens have proclaimed the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave, we really need to come together with love, compassion and a call for justice.

We need to do good for others. What can each of us do to be a helper? It’s certainly on my mind and on my conscience. Let’s not live in fear or despair. Let us all try to do the next right thing.

Thank you so much for being part of the Your Life Is Your Story community. Thanks to all our subscribers. I hope you enjoy this month’s issue.

You are receiving this e-zine because you signed up for it or someone who is subscribed passed it along to you. If a friend DID forward this to you consider subscribing by visiting our signup page . Also, let me know what you’d like to see more of in this newsletter – simply reply to this email e-zine.

– Tom

Featured Article: Your Life Check Engine Light

By Tom Gilbert

There is a little yellow light that can come on your car’s dashboard when there is an issue with your automobile. It’s called the Check Engine Light, or CEL for all you mechanics and auto aficionados.

My car and I have both been on some check engine light adventures.

What I mean by that is we both have needed some work done “under the hood”, as it were.

Recently I was driving to Arizona to visit a good friend. On the way, my 2002 Toyota Avalon’s check engine light illuminated the dashboard.

This was not the first time. Hey, the car is 24 years old now. I inherited it from my dad when he passed away in 2012. At the time it only had 45,000 miles on it, a mere pittance for this well-built vehicle.

I’ve dealt with a few repairs over the years, but the last three months there have been a number of issues. Rightly so as some of them are age related. I’ve invested a decent amount of money to do some needed maintenance repairs and that’s all good. At 162,000 miles plus it still runs great and with the price of new cars I want to keep this baby going.

Also, it is a legacy thing. It traces back to my father and there is a certain comfort in driving it. I’ve grown accustomed to the car and it is like slipping on old shoes that have been broken in and continue to wear well.

Still, repeated issues with the check engine light have been trying my patience.

How does this all connect with my personal health?

I like to think that getting checkups and diagnoses, when needed, are similar to car maintenance. And in the past several months my life check engine light (speaking metaphorically) has revealed some worrisome concerns.

It’s getting addressed and I feel fairly confident that with the right medical treatment I will come out okay.

Just like having a good mechanic, finding quality health care and trusted doctors and technicians can lead to me putting on many more miles on my personal odometer.

I’m no spring chicken. Like my car, I’ve been pretty healthy most of my life, so discovering things that now do need attention and intervention is giving me a bit of a wake up call on paying closer attention to my health.

Lessons from Your Life’s Check Engine Light

It is wise to get a check up. For your own health as well as for the car you drive.

Life is a journey, but we never know how many days we’ll get. Don’t take it for granted. But also, don’t live in fear nor dwell on "what ifs".

Try to live an enjoyable and healthy lifestyle. Sometimes what you enjoy can come in conflict with making good health decisions. So be real about that and understand the risks.

It’s okay to ask for help. And get help when you need it.

Take the necessary steps to deal with the things that need attention. Sleep, exercise, and diet are important. So, too, is your mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. I try to have some morning quiet time. Meditation, reading and music all are helpful to me.

Don’t ignore the warning of your Life’s Check Engine Light. Early health warnings can help you extend your life or have a better quality one. And it may give you a better perspective on your journey.

In the end, don’t panic. Keep hope alive and let your love light shine.
Read more articles here.

Featured Resource: Peace Talks Radio

Peace Talks Radio has for years produced many episodes about peacemaking and nonviolent conflict resolution.

Wow, doesn’t that sound like something our world needs more of? I believe so, especially now. I’ve been a listener and fan for several years and I’ve personally gained good insight on how to live a more peaceful life, particularly in our current turbulent times.

I encourage you to listen to some of their episodes. They are produced by Paul Ingles and his dedicated staff through Good Radio Shows, Inc, a 501 (c) (3 ) nonprofit media organization creating broadcast programs, online content, and printed materials that inform, inspire, and improve the human condition.

Currently there is an incentive to support them for just $5 a month or a one-time $70 donation and in return you will be given a copy of An Ecstatic Gathering of Writers, a beautiful book of photography and writings that honor mankind, nature and spirit.

Spreading peace through practical and essential nonviolent conflict resolution is a way better way to live our lives. More at Peace Talks Radio

Closing Information

That’s it for this month’s issue. Thanks for reading. Here’s to telling your story. Do give it some serious consideration because I just know you’ve got a great story to tell! Be sure to see the Get Started section.

Any comments, ideas or feedback is greatly appreciated. Just reply to this ‘zine and tell me what you think!

Until next time, – keep your story alive!

Tom Gilbert

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