Some days are tough. I like the way Andy Frisella talks about them as “test days.” Sometimes they’re big problems, sometimes they’re small, but looking at them as tests can be helpful. Today is looking like a test day.

While walking my dog this morning, I smelled gas when we got back to the house. I noticed a black pool under my work van. On closer inspection, it looked like someone had punctured the fuel tank. My first thought was, “Someone is fucking with me,” like it was a personal attack.

Once I calmed down, I came to the conclusion that they did it to steal the gas. Crazy way to do it, but it happens. It’s not the first time this van has been targeted. When I was living in Pedro, they stole the gas three times and the catalytic converter once. Maybe it’s a common thing with work vans.

Either way, it’s just some shit that happened, and it has to be dealt with. I could let this affect my whole day or even my week, but I have shit to do. I need to show up for the people who need me.

Test days are like this. They challenge how well you can handle inconvenience, big or small, and you come out stronger. Sometimes they’re very difficult and strengthen us quite a bit; sometimes the tests are easier and add a little. It all adds up.

How do you handle the test days?

— Bus