Porsche Now & Zen

I find as I get youlder, maybe wiser seeking out the simple things in life bring much more balance which equals joy�Previously getting caught up in what I don�t have, causing anxiety and fear now reminds me in everything to examine what I do have and instantly (like gratification) a sense of peace and well being sweeps over me and says �all is OK in the universe� and with that, I come to accept it�thx Porsche for a great ride😎

Porsche Therapy....it helped me get through some difficult times

Yup. My standard line when someone asks me why I'm always working on one of my project Porsches - "It's cheaper than therapy..."

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If only I could get these new tires covered under the mental health section of my medical insurance...

It�s a challenge in life to appreciate what we have. We all want to get to a place with enlightenment when we can look at anything, no matter how boring or simple it might be, and get totally blown away by it. Our kids, our spouse, experiences we have. We might be thankful, but we still don�t fully appreciate those things until they are gone. Once they are gone, we would give just about anything to have it back. When was the last time we were grateful for something like Oxygen? Yet we can�t go 3 mins without it, there is arguably nothing more important than Oxygen, even if it�s the most abundant resource on earth and humans are made up mostly of it! What about the idea that you are here because, for 3.5 billion years, your ancestors have successfully lived and reproduced. And 10 billion years of universal evolution to even start on life. I�d say 99% of us here can look around and find ourselves in the top 1% of the wealth of the world (assuming an income over $30k/yr). And so even having the ability to own a $5,000 Honda Civic is pretty impressive - that we own a machine with 100 horsepower that can take us across the country, or anywhere in town, any time we want. That a gallon of gasoline for $4 (ha!) has 31,000 calories, over 300 apples. Imagine how hard it would be to gather that many apples, carry them, store them, process them� Everything around us is truly amazing�and yet, we aren�t happy. We have no idea how great and easy things are right now. And then we discover and come across Porsche and it actually starts to impress us. It�s another level. Even the crappiest Porsche ever made is still way better than the crappiest car ever made. By a factor of maybe 10X. And we 996 owners don�t really have the crappiest Porsche. I don�t think it�s the worst 911 either, but even if it is, that�s like the rock band that is 100th on the list of 100 greatest rock bands of all time. They are still better than millions and millions of artists, ever. Relatively last, and the worst on that list, but absolutely 99.99% better than everyone else. We are absolutely extremely lucky, blessed, and fortunate, even if we are relatively boring, mediocre, and ordinary.

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you my man get it� I�m not going to languish in the light you just spread, rather button it up with love and light�we come here many times to this reality to play in the illusion of self and selfish we can be but ironically it is you whom you must absolutely take care of first�and when you run on the ether above touching peoples lives becomes paramount to an existence that allows you to truly do something to assist humanity into a golden age� it is this time when many of us advance to the next stage�hope to see you there😎

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Like being 20th on the F1 grid...

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hear hear

Well spoken. Regarding "the worst 911", I test drove a couple of 993s a few months ago (was pondering a change while my 996 was away because someone tried to steal it and the damage needed to be repaired) and I'm glad I did, because I don't want a 993 anymore. The 996 is so much more fun to drive. So we're at least 19th on the F1 grid.

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....and yet throughout all, when things go up in smoke, the final spin, the efficiency of doing it yourself, and/or the complete experience of sitting in the shop of your local dealer or indy......one can always find solace in those two little words.... "HELLO SAILOR"

Great post. I recall being so close to pulling the trigger on a 997 front end conversion for some stupid amount of money because the general census was that the 996 headlights were atrocious. One day i said 'F it. You know, i actually like them', and I liked them when I bought the car in the first place! I never converted them, and now looking back, i'm thankful I didn't. My 996 was my first Porsche and I'll never sell it, because it brought me tons of joy and even my wife said not to sell it. For once we agreed on something lol

Perspective is really everything, isn't it? On here; I'm some schmo who's wrong half ( 75% ) the time. To my friends I'm @Porschetech3 . "The Porsche Guy!" "He knows everything about them!" They couldn't care less about the nuance of the greater Porsche social sphere because their exposure to it is their buddy (me,) who they see going out on a limb to fulfill his passions and satisfy his cravings. As a gift back to me, perhaps unwittingly, they make it part of my identity. I get introduced by my friends as a "Big Time Porsche Guy" and it makes me very, very happy.

The saying: "you never see a motorcycle parked at a therapists office" also applies to 911s.....

It�s funny you say that, I�ve gotten that from dudes here and there over the years. I kind of look like someone who would get that comment, lol.

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Sheer genius!

I have enjoyed and really been comforted by many of the above posts. Thank you all.

After reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, I went and bought a motorcycle. But you can get similar levels of Zen taking your 996 out for a very very long drive. I like the idea of driving off to the middle of no man�s land with the 996, and then going even farther, because there�s a very high likelihood it won�t break down on you. Try that with some other 23 yr-old vehicle (Toyota notwithstanding). It can be done, but some people cannot relax as easily if they think the car isn�t cut out for it. The 911 isn�t like that. Even more Zen potential there.

I dont understand this thread at all.... the only thing i get is an elevated heart rate when i drive my car. For me its the opposite of peaceful zen.

It's finally a nice day here and after reading the comments above I think I'll take a ride to the beach.

Zen comes after you get off the track, light up a cigar, and think about how you shaved off a second or two knowing and appreciating your GT3 engine has even more to give you.

That might have to do with the way you drive. Let me guess: you aren�t stuck in traffic cursing everything and everyone around you.

I even enjoy my 996 in traffic. Pop the roof and window open and listen to the engine while you move slowly forwards. 👍

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Some how the "long" around the traffic is never long enough.

Great thread. I fractured my foot and could not drive the 996 for more than a month and found I was really depressed. I'd work on it or maintain it, but really missed the experience more than I thought. Driving PCH with the top down, gears winding, and the road feel defies age and relieves stress for me. Porsche, PCH and a Playlist (and the sun). Really miss it and hope I can drive it for the first time today. If so will post a pic soon.