We can run dry every once in a while.  If we do, we just come to a stop.  Not a physical stop but a stop nonetheless.  I've observed it in others and felt it myself.  Years ago my boss told me it was like shifting gears.  I remember that I felt overwhelmed by my responsibilities and unloaded my concerns on her.  "You'll be okay," she told me.  "You can do it, you are just shifting gears."  I think there was some psychology at work during that session but it worked.  I told myself that I was shifting gears.  It helped me fill up.

Since then I have come to recognize the feeling as running dry.  My family makes it happen less frequently.  Friends are a great prevention too.  Feeling a little low on energy?  Have lunch with some old friends.  Eat dinner with your family.  Don't have a family?  Try mine. 

A long solitary car trip works wonders.  Good music.  A great book.  A long walk with Henry.

I return to routines when I need some filling up.  Like rebooting a computer, the comfort of a refreshed routine sometimes does the trick. 

I used to visit my father.  I didn't tell him what I was doing but I was filling up.  I would talk.  He would listen and maybe say something wise.  Today, I don't tell Henry what we are doing when we tromp through the woods.  We are hiking.  Looking for birds.  Someday, I think he will know that we were filling up.

The trick is to fill up before you run dry.  Don't let the tank go empty or else you could get stranded.