Driven by Self-Awareness

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

I have not been the best driver.

I mean, I’m not a bad driver; I don’t have multiple accidents and tickets outstanding. But I have been the type of driver who typically rushes and regularly goes over the speed limit (just enough not to get stopped), and throws various words and gestures at other drivers…when I think they deserve it. I will also admit that my cell phone catches my attention when driving more than it should.

I know I am not alone. However, I made a choice going into this year to shift some of my driving practices from reactive to observant.

Here are some of my mind-blowing observations so far (and we’re only three weeks into the year!):

1. When you actually drive the speed limit, it is as if you are moving in slow motion. I never realized how much faster a mere 5–10 miles per hour feels. I also have noticed that, when I drive faster, my energy is way up — maybe more than it should be. That, in and of itself, creates more stress. But when I drive the speed limit, my energy calms down. That allows me to simply sit back and observe.

2. When you slow down and drive the speed limit, you get everywhere at the same time as if you had rushed and sped! This is amazing to me. The speed limit allows me to catch green lights instead of red lights. I can;t explain how or why it works, it just…