Quite a few years ago I bought a hammer for an outdoor project. When I was done I cleaned up my tools, but overlooked the hammer. It lay in the grass overnight. When I discovered it in the morning, rust had already marred the shiny surface with patterns from the damp grass. The hammer was fully functional even with the rust, but I was disappointed. I take pride in keeping my tools in great condition. Using the hammer after that was a reminder to be more watchful when cleaning up.
Some of my tools date back to my junior high days (late 70s) and they still serve me well. This is because I don’t misuse my tools, and I always put them away when I am finished. It does take a little more time, but the result is, they are handy when I need them, and they last forever.
On my mind these days is another kind of maintenance. Since the beginning of the year I’ve been keeping track of what I eat and watching as the weight slowly, but steadily, comes off. I’ve been surprised at how unpopular this concept is. Some people don’t want to be denied anything, and others don’t want to have to keep track of their food intake. It does require attention. I would prefer not to have to pay attention. And yet, the amount of time is much less than I would have supposed. I guess it’s a matter of what you value. If you value the benefits of a healthier body, the maintenance is the price to achieve the goal.
It’s easy to keep rust off tools. It’s a matter of paying attention. Lose track of them and it’s not so easy.