A few years ago I wrote a story about how preventative maintenance on equipment helps trucking fleets avoid costly breakdowns that usually come at inopportune times. The same can be true for people, only it is far less likely we actually draft out a preventative maintenance plan for ourselves.

I’ve spent the past week battling what seems like a never-ending cold and recovering from a root canal. I’ve also got several major deadlines this week, so the timing isn’t ideal. Over the weekend I wanted nothing more than to simply curl up in bed and watch Law & Order reruns all day.

Of course, life goes on. There were soccer games, a fabulous house guest and several writing assignments that also demanded my attention this week. Not to mention a toddler that has a deep desire to snuggle at 2 a.m. and a preschooler that likes to wake for the day at 5 a.m. It is no wonder I can’t shake these sniffles and that I put off my dentist appointment longer than I should have. Real life is a tremendous blessing, but it also takes all we’ve got to keep up with it.

I don’t know about life at your house, but I know life at ours is only going to get busier as we approach the holidays. As I continue on my road to recovery this week, I’m going to let my runny nose and aching jaw remind me to build in some preventative maintenance time of my own during my busy days, particularly during all the merry making (and relentless to-do list) that is sure to ensue over the next few months. That maintenance doesn’t have to be well-checks and doctor visits. It can also be a enjoying hot cup of tea, making time for a personal project or simply indulging in a favorite t.v. show for an hour or two.

I’m also going to remember to be more grateful for good health. Rabbi Harold Kushner in Who Needs God said, “One of the most sublime experiences we can ever have is to wake up feeling healthy after we have been sick. Even if it is only relief from a headache or toothache, the health we take for granted most of the time is suddenly seen to be an incredible blessing.”

Here’s hoping that tomorrow is that day for me! 

*Photo by Rohsyn via Stock Exchange