Well, folks, I finally bought myself a new car. Not a brand new car, but new to me. It still has the new car smell. Shiny silvery gray with lots of new gadgets. I love big cars, and this one is the executive edition.

The gadget on my new toy that confounds me most is its gas indicator. It beeps at various intervals to warn me when I am close to running out of gas. I always ignore the beep at 50 miles. The 10-mile warning I usually notice and "plan" to obey. More often than I care to mention, though, I forget to heed that warning as well and look up to find my car beeping -- flat on empty and me panicked as I search for the nearest gas station.

I have driven for a lot of years now and have never run out of gas, but if I don't get a better handle on this and get in sync with this gadget, I'm afraid I might soon be walking along some lonely Florida road with a red can in my hand.

Well , friends, the same thing has happened in my life. For too many months I have ignored the warnings that I was running low on the fuel that helps me live my life. I had allowed the demands of work, family and the day-to-day pressures to crowd into my life to the extent that they were crowding out the voice that warns me to pull over, stop and refuel.

Disconnected from the Source that fuels me, I found myself uneasy, somewhat depressed and without the peace I needed to take life's sharp turns, hills and valleys.

Almost too late I realized I was close to empty and fearful of having to walk alone. I had to take some time away. To reconnect to the Source that moves me. To allow that Source to fill me so that I can continue to find joy in my life and peace in an uncertain economy and a hectic world.

For a short while, I made myself a priority. I took time to think quiet thoughts. Time to read. Time to pray. Time to reconnect with family and friends. Time to appreciate the blessings in my life. Time to rest.

I am sure some of you have noticed that my voice has been silent from this website. I have been told by my boss that my column has been missed.

Friends, thank you for noticing that I was gone and for letting me know that my voice makes a difference in your lives. I plan to be here strongly in 2011.

As the old year fades into memory and we all look forward to what lies ahead, I invite you to join me in a resolve to keep ourselves fueled with the things we need to keep us healthy in body, mind and spirit.
***
D. Barbara McWhite grew up in York County, SC, and lives in Orange Park, FL, with her husband and cat.

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