Many years ago, I replaced the old picket fence around my backyard with a solid six-foot panel fence, the kind with evenly spaced vertical slats. Over time, that fence began to show its age. One day, After noticing a few times that a slat had broken and needed replacing I finally tackled the task. It seemed like a straightforward task—just a bit of cutting, nailing, and painting. I gathered my tools, both hand and power, which I had used countless times before. Through experience, I had come to respect and care for them.

But that respect and care wasn’t always there.

In the early days of my DIY projects, I wasn’t as careful with my tools. I remember a time when I had a circular saw with a faulty guard that didn’t always snap back to cover the blade after a cut. I knew it needed repair, but I kept putting it off. One day, after making a cut, I absentmindedly set the saw down without resetting the guard. The still-spinning blade hit the floor, causing the saw to spin uncontrollably, tearing into the leather of my steel-toed boots. Luckily, the steel plate protected my toes, but it was a sobering moment.

Another incident occurred while I was using a chainsaw in cold weather. The chain snapped mid-operation, whipping across my winter jacket. I was fortunate that only my jacket was damaged, but the situation could have been much worse. I’ve even had electric shocks from using tools that weren’t properly maintained.

Fixing that broken slat was more than just a repair; it was a reminder that getting things done, no matter how small, brings a sense of satisfaction. It’s like crossing off a task from life’s to-do list—each one completed is a small victory. Just as repairing the fence made the whole structure stronger and more complete, taking care of life’s tasks brings a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment that builds a stronger foundation for everything else. The feeling of standing back, seeing that fence whole again, mirrors the peace and pride that come when we address our responsibilities, leaving us with the deep satisfaction that we’ve moved forward, one task at a time. Life favors those who are best prepared.