Today I ran out of gas. Literally. And sure it made me late for the meeting I was running but I choose to look at the other side. I had no warning so therefore did not spend the last miles panicking and praying to find a station and making all sorts of deals with the heavens. No I ran out as I exited the highway and was within eyesight of a gas station. I coasted into the station and came to rest short of the pumps. My co-worker was so astonished she couldn't stop laughing. Later she would thank me for the best laugh she has had in a long time. We sat in the car knowing we would have to get out in the driving rain and push. Just then three college kids pulled up and one of them made eye contact and smiled. He walked over and asked if we needed help. He then went to get his friend and they pushed us up to the pump. After I filled up I offered them all the money I had on me (sadly only $10 after going to the movies last night). At first they refused saying they had almost run out of gas themselves but I insisted and told them maybe someone would come along and help them if they ever needed. And three young smiling faces drove off as we went the opposite direction to our meeting.
Later when we returned to the office I couldn't shake the positive glow. Not the usual reaction to running out of gas and I'm sure people thought I was crazy. Not only that, my staff has been plugging away giving me what we need to meet our deadlines. Life is good.