As the Wheel Turns
Sitting there waiting for the light to change, I glanced over at the big truck next to me and behold, there’s this big ol’ shiny wheel! After a moment’s contemplation, I decided what the hey, whipped out the ol’ phone, and took the shot. (Amazing how camera phones have exponentially increased casual photography among the general population, isn’t it?)
I often take shots of seemingly random objects or scenes these days, since it’s usually a complete mystery what I’m gonna write about from one day to the next. That way, the day I a need a photo of a big, shiny, truck wheel, voila! there ya go! (Sometimes, though (as in today), the photo inspires the post.)
The other day I got to thinkin’ about that wheel, and it occurred to me there might be a lesson or two in it. See, a wheel has several important characteristics. For instance, it supports the tire and gives it its shape. It’s part of the chain of items that transfers power from the engine to the road. It also turns, and turns, and turns…
The Island Syndrome
Let’s think about those first two for a moment, support and power transfer.
John Donne once wrote, “no man is an island”. I think some folks have a hard time rememberin’ that, though. The truth is, everything we do both supports, and is powered by, a vast array of other folks – and their endeavors. The moment we start thinkin’ we’re all alone out here on this big rock we call Earth, that’s when we start to getting into trouble.
Are you a writer? Do you imagine yourself hiding out in some secluded spot, hammering out that Great American (or German, or Scottish, etc.) Novel, isolated from your fellow man and working totally on your own? Well… that turns out not to be the case. (Translation: Wrong!) Are you using a computer to write? Who built it, and sold it to you? What about that place you’re in? Where did that come from? How did you get there – drive or fly?
No, every one of us is dependent upon a vast supply chain of products and services that help us accomplish whatever it is we want – every single moment of every single day. Like the drive train for that wheel, it helps shape our lives and support what we want to do, using a continuous chain of energy transfer from one person to the next.
Big Wheels Keep on Turnin’
Although we often use the image of an endlessly turning wheel as a negative image (think: treadmills, endless repetition, doin’ somethin’ over and over, etc.), the fact is, that ability to rotate enables something quite extraordinary.
F’rinstance; let’s say that wheel-and-tire combo you see in the photo has a diameter of, say, 30 inches. OK, according to the rules of mathematics, that makes the circumference… (let’s see; the formula is Ï€ x D – oops, not enough fingers; gotta take my shoes off for this one…) about 7.85 feet. Not really all that far, is it? But, if you roll that wheel along its axis, slightly more than 672 times, it’s travelled a whole mile!
You know that sayin’: “Practice makes perfect”? Well, it’s sorta like a wheel, turnin’ and turnin’ and turnin’. If you practice something enough, you’re bound to get it right – or at least, better at it, right? Pretty amazing to think that, just like a wheel, by doing a very simple thing, such as repeating an activity over and over, you may actually accomplish some pretty great things, can’t ya?
Just Curious
It occurs to me that most of us are workin’ on something – doin’ our level best to get better at it. As for me, I’m tryin’ to be an author, so I practice writing. Every story is another turn on the wheel. Ever wonder why lawyers and doctors call their work a practice? Because every time they do what they do, they learn something new, and – presumably – get better at it.
So what are you practicing? What are your plans? What is it you’re doing, over and over again? Color me curious…
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Image: Big Wheel, by Robert Hruzek
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Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
Robert, great analogy! I wish I could say I’m doing my best to be a great writer by practicing, practicing, practicing but I seem to have a flat that has me parked in a stall wondering if I will ever find the air pump. *sigh* Your post has inspired me though to set off in search of air again…I’ll let you know what I find!
Robert,
Sorry I’ve been away so long, but some pretty intense life circumstances that I’ve been dealing with lately have conspired to seriously curtail my blogging/commenting over the past few months. But, it’s great to be back here at the Middle Zone reading your words of wisdom about life. I’ve missed them!
I think that, in addition to the do-it-over-and-over (or practice) aspect of the wheel analogy, we might also think of the turning wheel in terms of perseverance. The wheel just goes ’round and ’round and ’round until it gets us where we’re going (provided nothing interferes with its smooth operation). That can be just like our lives when we refuse to give up but determine to continue on, doing whatever it takes to get where we want — or need — to be.
In fact, we might even take the analogy one step further and say that, when we persevere through even the toughest times with a cheerful attitude and optimistic outlook, we’re like the wheel with the shiny hubcap, presenting an attractive and inspiring example to the world — one that others can admire and maybe even decide that they themselves would like to have.
No matter how tough life gets, we need to polish up our hubcaps and keep those wheels turning!
Thanks for an excellent post!
Jeanne
I think i have a flat tire also. I suck at writing blogs. it is something i am working on. I need practice
Hi Robert,
I like the concept here, I really do.
In this age of instant gratification, a lot of folks give up on things after one or two tries. Sticking with it will pay great rewards – oh, they may not be what you think they will, but the rewards will come nonetheless.
Always a positive experience coming here. Thanks.
George
Howdy! I love the wheel analogy too: not only turning, turning but also *getting somewhere* too (hopefully).
I love curiosity, so allow me to answer: there are many things I am practising at the moment, but in relation to my first love; writing, I’m practising writing short stories after catching the bug a month or two ago. I’m also learning how to podcast, which is really exciting – and needs a lot of practice!
Hey Karen, I hope the flat tyre gets fixed soon!
@Karen – There must be something in the air about now; seems like a lot of writers have stalled for a bit. Don’t worry, Karen; it’ll come out again sooner or later. It’s like a flower struggling to pop out of the ground and bloom. Just get some water…
@Jeanne – Y’know, it never ceases to amaze me the insights that come from different folks lookin’ at the same things! That’s a great metaphor – and one I completely missed. Thanks for sharing it, though. And glad you’re back; things HAVE been a bit dull around here without ya!
@Mike – Hey, the first step in dealing with a problem is admitting ya have one, Mike! Thanks for dropping by, Bubba.
@Tumblemoose – Thanks for sayin’ so, George. Hope you didn’t catch heat stroke comin’ to Texas just to leave a comment!
@Emma – Wow, sounds like you’re on your way to some new adventures, Emma! I’ve got a few irons in the fire myself; hopefully they’ll get started and/or finished soon. It’s harder work that I thought it would be!
Hi Robert, One of the best wheel experiences I’ve had lately was unexpected. It came when I started the LinkedIn Group on Improve Your Google Ranking. All of the sudden, I find myself having to learn something new about SEO every day. It’s a wonderful discipline. Like George says, and other comments suggested, we live in a world of instant gratification. The danger there is you think you know it all when you are instantly gratified. I’m not saying I was dumb, fat, and happy with respect to SEO before I started the group, but I was pleasantly surprised to learn there is much more to learn.
@Brad – Yeah, I remember the last time I knew everything, too; I think I was 15! Since then, I’ve been steadily less smart with every passing day. :-\
There’s no doubt about it, though; the best way to learn something new is to volunteer to teach it to someone else. Kudos on your bravery – but you’ll be all the better for it at the end. Tip o’ the hat to ya for daring it!
Robert, life is a long learning process. As a high school counselor, I do practice everyday to handle with different types of teenagers who done something wrong/illegal in the school! Trust me, it isn’t an easy job at all, but I’ve tried my best to overcome the obstacles…
@Wilson – Wow, I bet that’s a tough job! There’s so many things teenagers THINK they already know – when in fact they don’t really know anything. Perseverance pays off with ‘em, though, so hang in there!
You just gave me a great idea. Taking random phone pics is a good way of generating ideas that you can write about. I hesitated over a blog because I thought, “what on earth would I write about”. Okay, maybe not a big shiny wheel, but I get your drift. Plus you already covered that!
@Marcus – Hey, not a bad idea there, Bubba! I’d be interested in seein’ where it leads. Lemme know, willya?
I’m writing blogs from past 2 years, yet i feel i’m just not perfect.. thanks for sharing the great post. it inspires me !
@Shawn – Hey, not to worry, Bubba; as far as I know, there was only ONE perfect person who ever lived, y’know? Keep pluggin’ away!
Wow I love the wheel analogy too~-~