Finding Alignment Through Self-Care: A Personal Journey
I engaged in a weekend filled with learning, connection, and growth. It was an incredible experience that reminded me of the power of alignment, self-care, and purpose. But by Saturday night, exhaustion had fully set in. As I headed to my car, I noticed the tire pressure warning light had come on. My dashboard was telling me the left rear tire needed attention. It was freezing outside, 11:30 at night, and I was way too tired to deal with it. So, I just prayed, "Jesus take the wheel and please get me to my daughter’s house safely.”
When I arrived, another challenge hit me. Her apartment complex was packed—no parking spaces anywhere. I drove around for an hour and a half, waiting for someone to leave. By the time I parked, it was 1:30 in the morning. I was tired, frustrated, and had a headache. I dragged myself upstairs, took a quick shower, and fell into bed.
Plans Interrupted
The next morning, my daughter and I planned our day: go to church, grab brunch, and then I’d head back to Asheville. But when I got in my car to leave, the tire pressure light was back on. I got out, walked to the left rear tire, and saw it—a big nail staring back at me.
I called my daughter and said, “Change of plans. Let me put some air in my tire, and we’ll grab something to eat instead of going to church. After that, I’ll head home.”
At the gas station, I filled my tire with air and hoped for the best. But as I drove, I knew the tire wasn’t going to make it. I needed to find a shop. At the first tire shop, the attendant inspected my tire and told me, “Your tire’s too worn for us to patch. You need a new one.”
I wasn’t thrilled. I prefer to replace all four tires at once to keep my car aligned, so buying just one didn’t sit right with me. I asked if they had used tires. The answer was no.
Feeling like I was being upsold because I’m a woman, I left and found a used tire shop. When I got there, they said the same thing: “This can’t be patched. You need a new tire.”
The Frustration of Misalignment
Now I’m standing there, overwhelmed and frustrated. I just needed to get back to Asheville safely. The shop manager showed me a “used” tire that looked almost new—but the price matched a brand-new tire. I explained that replacing just one tire would throw my car out of alignment, and I’d rather wait to get home and replace all four.
He listened patiently, then said something that stopped me in my tracks: “Ma’am, if you don’t change this tire and it blows while you’re driving home, will it really matter if the car is out of alignment?"
That hit me. I stood there for a moment, let his words sink in, and said, “Go ahead and put the tire on.”
Alignment in Faith
As I drove home, I started thinking about alignment—not just with my car, but with life. How often do we end up misaligned, whether it’s with our faith, our purpose, or even our self-care?
Sometimes it happens because of circumstances beyond our control, like a nail in the tire. Other times, we lean on our own understanding, convinced we know what’s best, instead of trusting God’s plan. I’ve done it plenty of times—trying to handle everything on my own, only to find myself overwhelmed, frustrated, and out of alignment with the very things that ground me.
But here's the thing: even when life feels misaligned, God can still work through it. He provides exactly what we need in the moment, even if it’s not what we envisioned or planned. It’s not about perfection; it’s about trusting His provision to move us forward, step by step.
Alignment and Self-Care
That same lesson applies to self-care. When life gets busy, we often put ourselves last. We get so caught up in responsibilities and deadlines that we don’t even realize how misaligned we’ve become. Then one day, we’re running on fumes, ignoring the warning signs, and wondering why we feel so drained.
But self-care doesn’t have to be perfect. Just like I didn’t need four new tires to get home, you don’t need an elaborate self-care routine to feel better. Sometimes it’s about doing one small thing—taking a walk, drinking water, or saying “no” to something—that helps you realign.
Lessons from the Road
This past weekend taught me a few things about alignment, faith, and self-care:
1. Pay Attention to the Signs: My car told me something was wrong, and our bodies do the same. That headache and exhaustion? They’re signs you need to pause and take care of yourself.
2. It’s Okay to Improvise: Just because things don’t go as planned doesn’t mean you can’t make progress. Whether it’s a last-minute tire or five minutes of quiet, do what you can with what you have.
3. Perfection Isn’t the Goal: I didn’t want to buy just one tire, but it got me home safely. Self-care doesn’t have to be perfect to work. Start where you are and build from there.
4. Trust the Process: Sometimes, we have to let go of our plans and trust that God knows what He’s doing. That trust is part of staying in alignment.
Realignment Is Possible
By the time I got home, the weekend had confirmed just how much I needed realignment—but not in the way I expected. It had been an incredible few days, filled with inspiring moments, meaningful conversations, and a renewed sense of purpose. Yet, it was the unexpected tire situation that brought the real lesson. How often are we running on empty—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—without even realizing it? The contrast between the inspiration of the weekend and the challenges with my car became God’s way of slowing me down, helping me recognize the warning signs, and teaching me how to make small adjustments to get back on track.
Even in the midst of frustration, there was realignment happening. The experience reminded me that self-care, faith, and life’s curveballs are all connected. It wasn’t just about fixing a tire—it was about recognizing where I’d been misaligned and allowing the process to guide me back to wholeness.
So, if you’re feeling misaligned, don’t panic. Start small. Focus on one thing today that brings you closer to alignment—whether it’s reconnecting with your faith, grounding yourself in your purpose, or doing something that feeds your soul.
And remember, even when things seem out of place, there’s an opportunity for realignment. Sometimes, the detours and challenges are part of the process to help us refocus and move forward. Trust the process, trust yourself, and trust God. Alignment isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being whole.
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