One of the neat things about the Saab is every time I start the car my system center pops up with the word "checking." It runs through a bunch of system checks every single time I start the car. I have had things come up after the check like, "left headlight failure," "air bag failure," and "low tire pressure." If I were to plan to go for a trip, having the car do a system check would provide me with the opportunity to do a quick check and make any needed adjustments before I were to head out. The great thing about that is I could then enjoy the ride with a certain confidence and joy knowing all was well when I left.
What if every time we started our day we did a system check on ourselves? In a sense, each and every morning, we are taking a trip. We drive to work or around town to do our errands. We encounter other people and situations all day long and maybe even traffic jams and obstacles. In proper preparation for our journey, wouldn't it make sense to do the check? While system check is good, maybe we can call it something better. While the system in the auto manages the auto, it may not be the best way to consider how to define a human system check. I have it, let's call it a "heart check." Our heart and the condition of our heart more or less drives how we run during our daily journey. While our auto system monitors the A/C, tire pressure, oil temperature, and so on, our heart monitors our human systems. A heart check might alert us to issues with such things as attitudes, anger, disappointment, prejudice, hard feelings toward our spouse and so on.
Everytime we wake up and put the old key in the ignition of life to start out on the journey for that day, lets pause and let our system do a heart check.
Run the system and see if problems pop up on the display. Tough day with the boss yesterday? Okay, pay attention to that and decide to immediately meet with the boss and work it out. On edge with the wife? Before you leave for work make the needed repairs and leave with a hug, kiss, and best wishes for a great day. Repair those things that might cause you problems and stress on today's journey, fix them and hit the road with a "check ok" light on the console.
If we take a minute or two, let the system run and do a heart check every morning, maybe our journey will be more fun and filled with less roadblocks and traffic jams. Maybe we can put the top down, relax, and enjoy a worry and trouble free ride. Remember, everyday with the top down is a great day!