Leave old thoughts behind

Bryan had never been one for change. Even as life moved forward, he clung to the familiar, believing that what had served him before could still serve him now. His old sedan, a car he had driven for nearly two decades, was a perfect example.

Despite his wealth and ability to buy any car he wanted, Bryan refused to part with it. Instead, he dedicated himself to keeping it running, not by regular maintenance but by stockpiling salvaged vehicles for parts. His garage became a maze of rusted frames, broken axles, and engines that hadn’t roared to life in years. He told himself it was practical. Why waste money on a new car when he had all the parts he needed?

His wife, Sandra, disagreed. “Bryan, this is ridiculous. You have the backyard yard full of rubbish, and for what? That car is on life support.”

“It still runs,” he always replied. “And I know it inside and out. No surprises. Old thing better than a young thing”

But the surprises came anyway.

One evening, on his way home, the sedan sputtered and groaned before giving out completely. He barely managed to pull over before the engine shut down for good. As he sat in the driver’s seat, gripping the wheel, reality settled in.

He had spent years trying to hold onto something that was falling apart. All the salvaged parts in the world couldn’t stop time from moving forward.

For the first time, he saw his habit for what it was. It not practicality, but fear. Fear of change. Fear of letting go. He believed with all his heart that things would remain the same.

The next morning, Bryan did something he never thought he would. He called a salvage yard, not to pick up more cars, but to take them away. One by one, the rusted remains of his past were cleared out, making space for something new.

That afternoon, he walked into a dealership and bought a brand-new vehicle. It was sleek, modern, and unfamiliar, but instead of feeling uneasy, he felt lighter, and free. As he drove home, he glanced in the rearview mirror, watching the past fade behind him. For the first time in years, he wasn’t trying to fix what was broken. He was finally moving forward.