Not used for long, but important, very important
A couple of weeks ago, my pal Tim in southern Illinois invited me for an aerial spin in his powered parachute. Cool doesn't begin to describe it, and I shot photos like Ansel Adams hopped up on espresso and diet pills. (Sorry, Ansel.)
At a break in one snapping frenzy, I noticed the tire pictured below. It's been a part of every flight Tim has taken, but really only participates in a meaningful way for a tiny percentage of the time, and not at all during the cool flying part. But even participating so little, it is essential. No lowly tire, no cool flying. ***Sappy spiritual lesson alert*** Maybe you feel like you don't contribute very much. Two possibilities: 1. You don't recognize your essential role because it doesn't look like others' roles or isn't as flashy as you wish, or just serves to get someone else's vision off the ground. Whatever, don't underestimate what you bring to the table. Ask someone for an objective read on your contribution. Me for starters, if you wish. I'll shoot straight with you. 2. Or, maybe you're right: You're not contributing very much! Dang, that stings. Get off the wheel barrow and get yourself on a powered parachute! If you need ideas, again, ask me. I know of about 18 powered parachutes that could use a tire.
