Zen and the art of Land Rover Meandering
“Love is the absence of judgement.” Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama must have been talking about the partner of a Land Rover owner…
What being a Land Rover owner’s wife has taught me:
- Patience is a survival skill. Zen breathing is a ‘Landie thing’. Breathing in… “Land Rover working – one” Breathing out… “Land Rover working – two…”
- There will be oil – wherever you go.
- Time is slower in a Land Rover – enjoy the ride. The destination may change, depending on where it can be fixed.
- You need Liam Neeson’s line in Taken: “What I do have are a particular set of skills…”
Those included:
- Physical strength to push a Land Rover. (Forget “Who moved your cheese”, rather focus on “can you move a Landie?”)
- Social Skills (negotiating with tow-trucks).
- Emotional Intelligence (adapt to wherever the Landie may take you or not).
- Mental Skills (violence is wrong – even if your husband forgot the water or the tools – survival kit for overheating).
- Spiritual Intelligence – understanding the purpose of slow (our defender is not fast).
I believe that the universe has conspired to teach me patience, acceptance, and humour by the Defender.
The journey is more important than the destination; reaching that is always uncertain.
May 2023 create many Zen-Land Rover moments and fond memories.
