The drains will get you every time

A photo + analogy about not spinning your wheels

Today’s column was written in Southern California where I recently visited family and friends, wrote a bunch, and had a blast playing pickleball with groups I got plugged into last fall. Another big highlight of the trip included the following observation on the pool sweeper in my aunt’s pool.

Said sweeper kept getting stuck on what I assume was a slightly elevated drain. I watched it very literally spin its wheels for a solid minute trying to get over the hump so it could continue on its merry sweeping way.

I helpfully grabbed the hose and moved it away from the drain, and what do you know? It made its way right back to the same spot where it resumed spinning its wheels.

This absolutely riveting incident made me think about how we all have our “favorite” drains we return to over and over, even when they keep us stuck, spinning our wheels. If we could see them more clearly for what they are, we might give them a wider berth. So let’s.

You know these drains: Stuff like habits, over-consumption activities, relationship patterns, the unhelpful thoughts and feelings we indulge in. You and I both know that we’ve got things to do and things way more interesting to think and feel and be part of than stalling out on and in the unhelpful, draining stuff.

What’s one of your “drains” you are going to be more aware of?

Here's to your big dreams, the wonder of being human, and to really living. See you in the next one…

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