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Thought for the Day: Sheva Yipol Tzadik v’Kam

A short while ago, I went to the basement to get my bicycle to ride home at the end of the work day and say that the back tire was flat.  I was less than pleased, especially since I had put kevlar tires on my bike after the last flat I got.  Not because they are bullet proof (even though this is Chicago and they did film some the the Dark Knight here), but because they were supposed to be flat proof.  They weren't; and the fact that they were flat "resistant" was not very comforting now that they had stopped resisting.  Sigh... nothing to do but walk to the bike shop to get it fixed.

I complained to the bike mechanic and he just shrugged.  He reached inside the tire and was able to feel the culprit (something I wouldn't have done, which is why I don't fix things myself).  He actually had to get a pair of pliers to pull it out.  It was this tiny little wire that I could barely see!  "Likes like a wire from a truck tire.  Probably been in there a while and finally worked its way through to your tube."  The only reason I (finally) believe that wire caused my flat is because the tire has remained firm ever since.

Riding home I contemplated the incident and realized several things.
  1. The tire gets just as flat whether it is a tiny wire or a big nail.
    • The fall can be just as great even for tiny flaws in character.
  2. No matter what you do to protect yourself, the environment tosses things your way that can do damage.
    • We live in America with internet.  Enough said.
  3. When you have done all you can yourself, you need to get an expert to help.
    •  Asei l'cha Rav.  No; really; you must have a Rav.
  4. You may not always agree with the expert, so find one you trust and stick with him.
    • He is the Rav, you aren't.  Even rabei'im have rabei'im.
Most importantly: crying over the flat tire and stomping my feet would not have helped the situation and would not have gotten me to destination.  Changing my plans to deal with the flat and going to an expert did get me home.  Ha'Mavin Yavin.
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