By John McKay

Ever feel like everything is coming apart at the seams? No matter what you do, it works against you. Every strategy you plot blows up in your face. Every venture is nothing gained, but much is lost. Your life is going to hell in a hand basket and you are surely doomed.

That is a situation that everybody will face at least once in his or her lifetime. So, why does this subject matter seem so bitter? The truth is that I am not accustomed to major setbacks. The major setback that I have experienced began on June 30th, 1998 and lasted for nearly three weeks.

I was driving the 57 freeway in Southern California to school when my truck broke down at the very end of the off-ramp. So, I turned on my hazard lights as the idiot behind me was honking (as if I could wave a magic wand and instantly make my truck run, even though the engine was red hot.) I proceeded to get out of the truck and walked toward the back to ensure that the hazards were blinking. Then, I looked at the idiot whom was honking at me and I simply threw my arms up in the way as to say "oh well" and walked over to the Shell station where I would get help from AAA towing service.

At this point, I had the people at Best Shell in Placentia work on the problem. It turns out that the cylinder head was warped because the water pump busted out. At this time, I was frustrated and needed someone to talk to. This was my first lesson in the Power of People. I called my buddy Jim about the situation. Before I could even fully state my case, Jim told me not to worry as he was on his way out the door. At this time, I felt powerless and really needed to be in the company of someone that I am close to. Jim spent the whole day with me as a means to occupy my mind with things other than expensive auto repairs.

Five days later, I drove my truck home and it seemed all right at first. The next day, when I drove my truck, it ran and sounded like crap! Here we go again! This time, I was outraged and ready to take someone's head off. After all, I just spent upwards of $1300.00 (not including money spent on a rental car). Then, I took my truck down to the family trusted mechanic at Orange Mall Shell. Here is a second lesson in the Power of People. If I would have had AAA tow my truck just an additional 7 miles to the family trusted mechanic, this whole problem would have been diagnosed and fixed, on the spot. According to my mechanic, Brad, my timing belts were shredded as a result of somebody (possibly Ruben from Best Shell) bending back the shield to take the timing belts off and put them back on. The bottom line is that I have no definite proof that Ruben messed with these belts during his course of work while installing a new water pump and cylinder head. The lesson here is that if you find a mechanic that you undoubtedly know is legitimate, never, never, ever trust your vehicle with somebody else. If you break down far from home, pay the substantial fee to have your vehicle inspected and repaired by the mechanic that you know that you can trust.

Furthermore, if you are the type of person who is anti-social, you will never understand the Power of People. I certainly do, and here is why. Anytime I have a computer problem, I can turn to my friends Darrin Tobin or Chris Berry to help me. If I want to get away from Southern California, I can visit my friends Ron, Pat, and Heather Tobin in Arizona. As for daily annoyances, I talk to my friend Jim who always clears away negative attitudes that I develop from time to time. As for emotional support, I have many caring family members and friends to help me there, and vice versa.

I am not one who favors the worldwide population of several billion people, but, I am in favor of maintaining a circle of QUALITY people and nurturing that circle. When that happens, you will come to realize what I am referring to in regards to the Power of People.