Repairs, Maintenance and Emergencies

Over the past several months we have spent time and money making repairs to our house.  Some of these have been "must do" repairs; others have been "better do" maintenance.  Fortunately, we had time to plan, save money, and hire qualified people who could complete the whole package.

Other times pipes have burst, water heaters have leaked, support pylons under the house have disintegrated... all at the most inopportune times!  In these unplanned instances, professionals have fixed these emergencies but at a higher cost and with more stress and discomfort to us.

Are there relationships in your life that are beyond repair?
(Astoria, Oregon: burned out pier)

During jury selection last June, we were asked a number of questions by the judge and attorneys to determine our background and open-mindedness.  Several of the questions centered on warranties: have we paid for extended warranties on products; have we made a claim against the warranty; were we satisfied with the company’s response to the claim.

At first, it seemed that older jurors paid for and tracked their warranties, whereas the younger ones did not.  As I listened to people’s stories, I realized that the people who bought larger ticket items (e.g., cars, appliances, houses) were the ones who placed importance on warranties.  Those whose experience centered on less expensive items threw away the warranties... and those items when they broke down.

Ho do you maintain -- or build upon --
your relationships?
(Melbourne, Australia: changing skyline)

As I ponder how warranties have helped in emergency situations — and whether repairs and maintenance actually forestall an emergency, I  wonder why I don’t take out warranties on Self and Others?  That is:

• Do I extend a relationship beyond today? 
• Am I willing to put resources into repairing crumbling friendships? 
• How do I maintain my closest relationships? 

It seems that in many aspects of our lives we have become a Throw Away Society: that is, when something breaks, we may tend to throw it away and replace it with another.  I wonder if that mentality has overflowed into how we see and interact with others?

Do we preserve what is important as we create the future?
(Victoria, Canada: preserving the old)

Maybe:

• As we nurture our dialogue skills, we might consider taking out a maintenance or service agreement with one another.
• As we reflect on the more precious aspects of our lives — family, friends, and work colleagues — we might learn to rebuild the structures that have become weathered or worn down.
• As we encounter another person's Way of Being, we might create relationships that include and endure.

May emergencies you face this week be worthy of repair and maintenance!

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

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