Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Maintenance Celebration!

Regular maintenance is not just for your car. Your body and mind deserve the same proactive, professional care and attention

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By Robert Schmidt, Representative

I recently celebrated a milestone of great significance, one that most people never get to experience. For the past 20 years, I have had the pleasure of living life along side a silver clad Teutonic beauty. No, I’m not talking about a child or spouse, but rather my VW Jetta TDI that I purchased fresh from the show room in May 2000!

She was there for many of my firsts—children, career, and relationships—a steady and stylish presence whose efficiency I could only wish to emulate. From the tip of the Baja to BC's north, carrying jet-skis to the lake, kids to soccer, and luggage to weekend getaways, she was a constant companion. Even as her odometer passes 640,000 kilometres, I cannot imagine myself with another.

Surviving 20 years as a reliable vehicle usually takes more than just incredible German engineering. It requires dedication to a regular schedule of maintenance performed by professional mechanics. The occasional unexpected breakdown will still occur, but this bedrock practice will limit surprises and the associated costs.

While people do not have the same inner workings as a vehicle, we can still learn from this approach. Indeed, it is my experience that to thrive as human beings, we too need help by trained professionals to maintain our well-being. To that end, I have made it a practice to schedule regular visits with a variety of experts for my physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

On the physical side, besides visits to my GP, I have a standing appointment every six weeks or so with a physiotherapist. I call him the body whisperer. He not only treats symptoms but also uncovers the root of a variety of issues that plague desk jockeys like me who also try to stay fit. While it is painful, especially with the more innovative dry needling he does, this proactive approach has allowed me to stay on top of potential ailments before they become immobilizing.

A more recent practice was unfortunately born out of exactly that type of unexpected breakdown. When a series of relational and career setbacks piled up to the point where I could no longer ignore the obvious, I sought out help from a professional therapist.

For 14 straight weekly visits, I journeyed together with the therapist, uncovering many different layers and issues such as empathy, self-worth, and boundaries. Each time we met, it seemed like I discovered another revelation. And through it all, my therapist was there, listening, guiding, and pushing me on, her trusty whiteboard full of lessons learned.

I’ve now transitioned to a monthly rhythm of therapy. Through this practice, I have discovered that regular counselling serves exactly the same purpose as regular oil changes or physical therapy does: it uncovers potential issues before they become a crisis.

Moreover, it is not just the actual visit that accomplishes this. Because of this standing date on my calendar, I invariably turn my mind inwardly and think of concerns and events that have occurred during the month. This way, I arrive with some already semiformed conclusions or observations that form the basis of our sessions. This process improves my self-awareness and in turn my ability to deal with problems as they arise.

Regular maintenance is not just for your car. Your body and mind deserve the same proactive, professional care and attention. Practice this and you too may continue to get the life equivalent of 1,000 kilometres per tank as my trusty old Jetta does. Long may you drive (thrive)!

Maintenance Celebration!

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