The Flat Tire
Well, it’s been quite a few weeks. The layoff news continues just when we think it’s done. If you’re a Philly Fan, you just can’t catch a break. Rogue balloons, aliens, and train derailments; it’s enough to just throw in the towel. But when we’re pushed to the brink is when help arrives. I believe wholeheartedly that this is the case. This past weekend I suffered a flat tire on my SUV. The air was gushing out which led to the only thing I could do – change the tire right then and there. Over the course of an hour, I learned several life lessons. It’s a mix of faith with a dash of Learning at the Moment of Need.
A neighbor recently replaced his roof shingles. In Texas that means you’ll hear hammering for a good day and the nagging thought that tires may be at risk from roofing nails. This was the case for me. The crew didn’t clean up as well as they should, and roofing nails were left in the street. Lucky me just happened to find three of them in my tire. While out getting gas I could hear air rushing somewhere – my tire! After filling up I pulled to the side of the station to figure out what to do next.
Lesson 1 – The Plan
There’s a quote the comes to mind; “No plan survives first contact with the Enemy.” While I have changed tires in the past and know the basic steps, each vehicle is different. This was my first encounter with the Armada (kind of funny name at this moment). Upon opening the storage compartment, I was met with confusion, doubt, and just plain frustration. Thinking logically, I decided to seek help in the vehicle manual. Unfortunately, the manual was no help, or I was so frazzled that even if the information was there, it wasn’t apparent. The lesson in the lesson is Manuals only work in an academic sense and are generally useless “in the moment.”
Lesson 2 – Seek and Accept Help
So, if you can imagine the scene, my tire is completely flat, tailgate is up and I’m walking around with a less than happy demeanor. My roadside assistance app could only tell me it was still looking for help. I was frustrated with the manual and that only clouded what logical thinking I could hope to draw from. That’s when Robert arrived. Leery of strangers these days I initially rebuffed the idea of help. I was polite and gave the old, thanks but I’ve got it. I didn’t. Thankfully Robert was a patient man and stayed nearby.
Lesson 3 – Performance Support Tools Work
In 2023 there are digital support options everywhere. You can probably guess where I went next, YouTube. Yup, forget the boring manual that is full of tiny print and confusing directions. In a matter of seconds Robert and I were watching a short video of how to change the tire on a Nissan Armada. It was clear, concise, and less than professionally done, but it was exactly what we needed. While I appreciate well written manuals and courses, short concise instructions can be the difference between a lesson learned or a learner lost.
Lesson 4 – Good People are All Around and Carry Cash!
What started out as a sense of hopelessness and aggravation quickly turned to one of hope and even some humor. Another good Samaritan approached to help. As the three of us fumbled through the process of changing my tire there were jokes that we probably wouldn’t be fielding offers from NASCAR anytime soon. Robert and Jorge were some of the nicest, most patient people I could have hoped to have help me at that moment. With the tire changed out I was extremely thankful and willing to offer whatever I could to show my gratitude. Knowing I had no significant cash on hand, we were in the parking lot of a grocery store. “Can I buy you the beer of your choice?” It was at this point I’ve decided that I need to stash $40 in every car just in case for emergency.
Here’s what my tire experience has taught me. Overall, there are good people still in this world who want to help you. Sometimes all you have to do is just let them. Pride can be a terrible thing during a moment of need. Traditional sources of information aren’t always the best for the situation. Just when things seem at their worst is when the change can happen.
I know there are so many of us in the job market these days that it can seem hopeless. I’ve been there and still am. But I have faith and friends. So many people like Robert and Jorge have reached out via e-mail or called to offer up whatever help they can provide. Please, take them up on their offers. I can guarantee that something good will come out of it.