Gasant Abarder is learning at the ripe age of 47 how to fail, reset and grow from the experience without losing himself in the process. It's a simple dictum: don't get mad, get what you want through patience, perseverance and resilience. It is a perspective we all need to reflect on as life keeps throwing curveballs at us.
There is a saying that is popular among Land Rover owners, particularly those who are lucky enough to own the classic Defender and earlier the Series models. It goes: 'One life! Live it!' It is a motto of sorts to live by and some even proudly decal the saying on their vehicles.
These vehicles are notoriously temperamental, and there is a leak of oil or fluid around every part, sometimes even when that part is brand new. It has led to the motto being adapted and adopted by some frustrated Land Rover owners like me to 'One Life! Livid!'
I've seen another variation that is rather funny, considering how much restoring one of these iconic vehicles can cost you. It goes: 'One Wife! Livid!'
But there is a lot of value in that statement of living your life despite the 99 problems life is going to throw at you. Every time something needs to be done on the 1986 Landy 110, I secretly smile and look forward to hauling out the tools and getting my hands greasy. When I get it right, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction. I also learnt the following hack: you coach ChatGPT to be an authority on all things Land Rover, and if you speak to it nicely and compliment it, it will offer unsolicited advice without you prompting it.