I love my car so much!
Can you even imagine life without a car? I can’t…
My children couldn’t participate in after-school activities, because they wouldn’t have transportation. My family would get bored to tears, because we’d be stuck at home all day.
Getting to work, school, and appointments would become a big hassle. I love my car, because it makes my life a thousand times better. Here are the top five ways having a car improves my life.
1. I love my car, because it protects me.
Cars are equipped with air bags, seat belts, back-up cameras, and tons of safety features that save lives. Seat belts alone have prevented more than 100,000 deaths.
Cars are covered with a protective shell of steel, aluminum, and other metals. Traffic accidents are scary and dangerous, but they’d be a lot more lethal without such a strong set of body armor.
Cars are built with your safety in mind, but they can’t care for themselves. Own your responsibility! Embrace preventive maintenance and follow the guidelines in your owner’s manual to minimize risk. Ask a service adviser (PPA) at your auto shop about more ways to improve your safety.
2. I love my car, because it comforts me.
Sometimes I get so overwhelmed by my day that I need a second to breathe. I excuse myself from the garage, go to my car, sit in the driver’s seat, close my eyes, and focus on deep breathing.
After a few minutes of silence, I come back to work feeling refreshed and ready to focus. The same trick works at home. When the kids become too much to handle, I tag in my husband and sneak away for some quiet time.
Your car should feel like a second home. If it doesn’t, I encourage you to consider why. It might help to wash, vacuum, and organize your car. I bet you’ll feel more comfortable without messes and clutter in your way. A clean car is a happy car!
3. I love my car, because it inspires me.
Thousands of people gather at car shows every year to admire the craftsmanship that’s involved with making an automobile (and keeping it in good shape!).
You won’t find any cars in the MET, but they are nonetheless a work of art. Safety should always be your #1 consideration when buying a car, but there’s nothing wrong with wanting an attractive ride.
It doesn’t matter whether your car is a beautiful swan or ugly duckling. Think about all the people involved in its creation. Designers made it pretty. Welders and assembly line workers made it practical. Creating a car is a collaborative effort!
4. I love my car, because it communicates with me.
Cars aren’t like an angry romantic partner. They won’t stonewall you or give you the silent treatment. When something is wrong, they will make sure you’re 100% aware!
Of course, cars don’t speak English, so you’ll need to use your senses. Look and listen for any odd sights, sounds, smells, or sensations that might suggest you have a car problem.
Keep a pencil and notepad in your glove compartment. If you breakdown, see your check engine light, or notice anything weird, pull over and write it down. Don’t trust yourself to remember! Car mechanics are more efficient when you can tell them exactly what happened.
5. I love my car, because it gives me freedom to move.
Having a car isn’t 100% essential for people who live in big cities. They can take a bus, taxi, or subway to most places. If you live in a small city, you probably don’t have that luxury.
I live in New York City, but there’s not a subway station next to my home. Even if there was, it’d be super inconvenient. My commute would take two or three times longer without the ability to drive.
NYC is amazing, but I don’t want to be stuck here forever. I love driving to northern New York — where there are more trees than skyscrapers — and unplugging for a few days to spend time with my family… without a car, these trips wouldn’t be possible!
I love my car (as much as it’s possible to love an inanimate object!). If you have any friends who complain about their “piece of crap” car, feel free to share this blog with them. Maybe a little positivity will encourage them to perceive their car in a more loving way. 🙂