This human is “currently being serviced.”
When a machine is broken at the gym, instead of a sign saying it’s broken, a placard is placed on the machine explaining, “This equipment is currently being serviced.”
The wording “is currently being serviced” takes into account that the inconvenience is temporary, that with time and tweaking, the equipment will return to regular duties.
Today is a Maintenance Day.
A Maintenance Day is a day when you don’t try to “get any better” at anything. When the best you can hope for is to keep from sliding backward…in your work, your relationships, in the journey toward your goals.
A Maintenance Day is a day when every time you reach for an item, you knock something else over.
A Maintenance Day is a day when you turn corners, and bang your knees.
A Maintenance Day is a day when no good ideas are coming to the front of your brain.
A Maintenance Day is a day when you make a clever remark and realize you’ve hurt someone’s feelings.
A Maintenance Day is a day when the long-term goals you set for yourself mock you as impossible. “Who do you think you are?”
A Maintenance Day is a day when your Emotional Guidance System is running your show….you are taking everything personally….your refection in the mirror is a monster….you are throwing generalizing words—never, always, everyone, those (old, young, leftwing, rightwing, reality-television watchers, people who don’t like reality television, techno-geniuses, techno-duds,)…the guy who ran the yellow light, and the guy who honked when you ran the yellow light….
A Maintenance Day is a day when, first and foremost, you must be your very own very best friend and take care of yourself. Breathe. Cool air in, warm air out. Remind yourself of the facts about you. You are a hard worker. Most days you have good ideas. Most days you can take a step toward that distant goal. Most days…but not today.
Today the goal is…to keep from sliding backwards. To keep from turning everyone we meet into a target. Sometimes we are the equipment “currently being serviced.”
