Written by: Dr. Loren Michaels Harris, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
As a child, I heard someone say, "We ride into this life in one vehicle, and we will ride out in that same vehicle." For what has now been sixty incredible years in this 'vehicle,' I can finally say regarding the previous statement; 'I know this much is true!"
My vehicle, this body which contains everything I have ever needed to drive from one point within my journey to the next, has traveled a literal plethora of terrain, driven through every type of weather condition possible, and is still (I am happy to report) on the road and moving at a safe and constant speed towards its destination.
On July 4, 1962, when my vehicle was driven off of the showroom floor, it appeared to have all the customary bells and whistles; ten perfectly formed fingers, ten perfectly formed toes, big brown eyes that seemed to scan every horizon with hope and inspiration, and an incredibly animated mouth… a mouth that could transform in an instant from a soft and endearing coo to a screaming peel that could make the most seasoned of mechanics swear that there was far too much horsepower under the hood for such a small engine.
My vehicle went home that week with its original owner, the registration was in order and the title signed, as this was a cash transaction and the cost of the vehicle had already been paid in full, or so we thought. As fate would have it, I was destined to spend only a few short weeks with my original owner; Lucille. You see, although Lucille had four additional vehicles and had cared for them for many years, she found that possessing a fifth vehicle, her first 1960's model, was proving to be a bit too much to handle, so back to the dealership we went!
My second owner (her name was Ada), was a super great mechanic who possessed five additional vehicles herself, and for some reason wanted to try her hand at completing her fleet with me. As I mentioned before, this was a cash deal for Lucille, so for her to transfer this vehicle over to Ada required nothing more than a handshake, a hug perhaps, or maybe there was a knowing glance between these two African American single female collectors that spoke silently to the severity of this transfer of title. I don't know if in this life I will ever truly understand exactly how things went down that day, or perhaps it was night, even that I will never know, but what I do know is that for the next eleven years I was parked safely on the property of Ada who did her best to provide me the best she had to offer.
In the blink of an eye, the course of my destination was critically altered when Ada's vehicle decided to conk out. I guess her engine could not be repaired because after that day, I only saw her one other time and that was to say goodbye.
In total, this vehicle of mine was cared for, maintained by, and even in some cases… used as the getaway car by twenty-two different women. I know this much is true; that was then, and this is now.
Today, as I look back through the maintenance records, the traffic citations, the insurance claims, etc., in other words; 'the paperwork associated with my journey thus far, it is easier to understand why it took nearly fifty years to go out and procure my own Kelly Blue Book.
See here's the deal, in my twenties, I drove everywhere out of fear and desperation. I drove like a bat out of hell (literally). I allowed my tires to bald (and eventually my hair followed suit, but that's another story). I allowed all my vital fluid levels to drop, and my wiper blades were for shit. Do you get the picture? I simply did not value vehicle upkeep, I was young, and the world owed me, so fuck it…ride this bitch until the wheels fall off. And fall off they did.
In my thirties (which I never thought I would live to see), I continued my careless off-roading, I picked up tons of hitchhikers, I would loan my vehicle out to strangers, and I never gave it a second thought because after all, it's not like I'm going to live into my forties anyway! In my thirties, I skip-traced my way back to Lucille, my original owner. I distinctly remember thinking; "This is it, now that I have been reunited with my original owner, I'll finally be back to my shiny showroom floor self!" I could not have been more wrong. Sometimes when we think we are beginning to care, that is when we realize the fear. The fear we possess regarding finally looking beneath the hood of our vehicles. This fuel of fear is causing every single function within our vehicles to fail. It took me well into my forties to realize the damage I had endured due to a series of fender benders, rear endings, you name it. I looked finally at my dashboard and realized that the fuel light was on, and there were maintenance alerts all over the place, alerts that somehow, I had never noticed before.
I hit my fifties with my pedal to the metal! I am determined to raise the blue book value of my journey. I am dedicated to using my high beams to finally illuminate the terrain, and for the first time in all the time I have been on the road, I find myself admiring the sleek design of my vehicle. One day I catch a glimpse of my fresh paint job in a window I am passing and suddenly, just like that, it all makes sense, I have officially become a classic! How could I have ever known that one day the world would be thirsty to learn from the story of this vehicle how to create their own Divine Design, how to become yes, you guessed it, a classic?
Yet today, that is exactly the reality of my vehicle. I drive for a living now. I guess you could say that although I am a classic, I am not one of those vehicles that remain in storage most of the year, only getting out into the world at large once, maybe twice per year. We all know those types of 'Classics' who love when admirers come to them but are not so keen on road trips themselves. I use my vehicle today in much the way one sees an Uber or Lyft: a great way to get somewhere.
But I need to get back to the point in this story where we were discussing maintenance records. Remember I mentioned I seemed to have all of the paperwork that would allow me to piece together memories from all of the neighborhoods I have driven through, parked in, or escaped from? The records allowed me to find my way back to my original owner. The story was placed back within context after so many years of "versions" running the show. The healing was unleashed the moment I found the maintenance records.
On July 4, 2022, this vehicle turned sixty years old. If I had a chance to go back in time and change anything about my journey or how I cared for my vehicle, would I? How many of us have spent countless hours perhaps days, weeks, years even, asking ourselves that very question?
Ten years ago, I would have had a mile-long list of reasons for the many mistakes I thought I had made in life. Ten years ago, I would have told you that no matter what you try to do to get to that place in life where you are valued, it won't happen! Ten years ago, this vehicle was out of alignment.
Remember back in the day, the take your hands off the wheel test? We would do that to test how the vehicle would react, would it swerve to one side or the other? Would the vehicle stay true and remain within its lane? If you have ever attempted this test of removing your hands from the steering wheel, then you already know; it can be the most thrilling thing when the vehicle remains true to its lane and does not falter in either direction. And you most surely also know that it can just as easily be terrifying if the vehicle should suddenly swerve to the left into oncoming traffic, or to the right just when there is no guardrail, and a thousand-foot drop is inevitable.
Having the courage to take our hands off the wheel is found buried deep within the desire to live our best life. Having the courage to pour over the maintenance records of our journeys is nestled within the confines of a thirsty soul. Having the courage to acknowledge and then celebrate the entire trip log is waiting within the healing of forgiveness. Having the courage to 'become' is guaranteed within your birthright known as a legacy. Anything that does not serve you must go!
Keep your vehicle in alignment with purpose. Whatever you say, mean it and it shall become meaningful somewhere in the Universe.
Never forget, you rode into this life as a classic, you can ride out as an even greater version of the original, but only if you write your blue book, show the world your worth, and leave the world your value. Live with your tank full. Die with your tank empty. This is Purpose! I know this much is true!
Dr. Loren Michaels Harris, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Dr. Loren Michaels Harris strives to motivate, inspire, and uplift every person that crosses his path. Loren is the host of the daily interview talk show, Bathrobe Moments, and is featured on the e360tv Network, where Loren is also an Executive Producer. Loren has been heard on Larry King Live and NPR Radio, seen on ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, and FOX. Loren has been featured on the covers of multiple magazines and has been featured within PEOPLE Magazine.
