Ruts

Imagine this...

You're driving through the mountains and the weather is just nasty. Snow, ice, rain...whatever. It has made the roads treacherous so much so that any idiot would know to stay off them if they don't have 4-wheel drive. Front wheel at the very least. You happen upon a car stuck in the mud. The engine is exhausting itself by continuously and furiously spinning the tires. Kicking up mud and all kinds of crap. Despite how messy the situation appears, you pull over and run to help the driver. You are, after all, in a 4-wheel, sturdy, solid, vehicle.

They graciously greet you and welcome you into the situation because they know they can't do it alone. "This has happened a few times before," they caution. "That's ok, I'll show you how to prepare for weather like this, " you say.  "Great! That would be so helpful so that I never make this mistake again."

Perfect.

You grab all the necessary supplies you have and prepare to "unstuck" the car wildly spinning the tires. In attempts to get it out of the rut it has created, you become a mess yourself. The wheels spit mud in your face and all over your clean, dry clothes. The rain, ice and snow relentlessly pelt you in the face. Sticks and rocks fly up, cutting you up a bit. Your legs are driven into the mud so much so that you almost get stuck. Finally, the car moves a bit. You give one last push...expanding all of your energy. The car thrusts out of the rut and sits there idling, as if nothing ever happened.

By this time, you've grown rather impatient with everything. After all, it did make you late for the lunch you had planned to have with your friends. But at least you helped someone out who really needed it. You explain how to avoid this situation. The person blankly stares at you. You repeat it and repeat it. Annoyed, you turn to walk away. They grab you and say "ok, I'm sorry...just one more time, I promise I'll get it. I don't want to make this mistake again." You explain one last time...slowly, methodically...in a way they cannot mess up.  Somewhere inside you know they will end up right where you first came upon them. You part ways and are happy to get home, shower and change clothes.

A little less than a month after this, you're driving down the same road. The weather is again, not good for cars without 4-wheel drive. It hardly ever is where you live.  You turn the corner and can hardly believe your eyes.

There, in the same exact spot as before is the car you helped get out of the rut. It sits there spinning the tires.  Another good-hearted, unsuspecting person stands behind the car, pushing with all their might. You pause for a second...your blood begins to boil. Did you or did you not, show that person how to avoid the situation completely? Yet here they sit....tires just'a spinning. You know exactly how that person helping is going to feel in a little bit.  But its not your problem anymore. You know you exhausted yourself trying to show that person how to avoid the situation. You risked your own safety, got dirty and the debris left a few cuts.

So you sit there...staring out of your window dumbfounded. Angry. Irate that you wasted your time. It truly sinks in... Some people can't be helped.  Some people want to make the same mistakes. Some people don't care about learning....learning anything.  They just want to sit there and spin the tires.  You sigh and drive away. In your rear view you gaze at the unsuspecting person beginning to explain how to avoid the situation.

You laugh almost an ominous laugh to yourself. "....maybe they will listen this time. Maybe this person can find a way to get the point across to that poor idiot"

A few months later, driving down that very road, you pass by the same freaking car. Stuck. No one is there to help yet. But you never slow....you pass by without thinking twice.

They can't be helped.