Spokes on a Wheel

My father had an amazing ability to create a fable off the top of his head. They’re all lost to time except one.

            In thinking about it, I was in grade school when I heard it. I recall sitting in the living room reading when he shared it with me. I used to enjoy Tarzan books. They stirred my imagination. Now, before I share the fable, I must admit, my father didn’t live his life to what he shared with me. I guess that’s typical of human nature.

            The following fable has to do with a wheel like you’d find on a covered wagon. Big wooden wheel with spokes for strength. My father, since he was a mechanical engineer by trade, explained the spokes on a wagon wheel provide support between the hub and the felloes, which is the wheel part that holds the metal ring that touches the road. I don’t think he needed to tell me that, but he explained it anyway. He was an engineer; therefore, details matter.

            He continued to explain that experiences in life are like spokes. The more experiences a person has, the more spokes to strengthen the wheel for hard bumps and heavy loads. I recall the story, because I lived my life in concert with that fable. In my twenties, I rock climbed; learned to scuba dive; played in rock bands (drummer); prospected for gold (found some gems); competitively raced ATVs (won one race); I fought competitively in karate tournaments (brought home a big trophy); appeared in stage plays in Hollywood and greater Los Angeles (received an excellent review in a trade paper).

            I could have accomplished more, but a friend died and for the first time I realized my desire for adventure, personal growth, maybe reckless spending needed to end. It was a mortality thing. So, I pursued finding my wife and after fifty, yes fifty, heart bruising searches, I found her. She’s kept me on my toes ever since.

            The question is, would I have done it all differently? Nope. Spokes on my wheel were worth installing. I went from an entry-level job of $16K a year working for the Department of Defense to becoming a program manager, making six figures. I did it by working hard, but more so with an attitude I could accomplish anything. The word “yes”, became my mantra. In retrospect, I believe the spokes I put on my wheel helped me do that. The bumps in the road weren’t so bad, and the load wasn’t so heavy.