Your Life Check Engine Light

Your Life Check Engine Light

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.

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