As I was driving a friend to the airport, the dash on my Jeep went dead.
It’s not uncommon for this to happen after the Woodchuck Incident of 2001 (the fuzzy booger had lunch on my electrical wiring).
My friend noticed the glitch and said: “Avia, your dash is dead! How can you possibly know when to shift (RPMs), or how fast you’re going, or even how much fuel you have? Isn’t that frustrating?”
I hadn’t really given it much thought. Every time it happens I remember the Woodchuck wisdom, and smile.
Moreover, this ‘driving blind’ thing is kind of a practice in gauging my awareness.
When the dash goes kaput, I’m forced to monitor my surroundings more acutely. For example, I pay attention to the speed of the other drivers around me to keep my own speed consistent and within legal bounds.
As far as shifting gears…I just listen to the engine of the Jeep, and it tells me when to move up a gear. “Besides,” I say to my friend Tom, “who uses RPMs on the dash as a signal to shift gears?” I ask Dave. “I do” he shyly confessed.
The fuel gauge, I’ll admit, is another kettle of fish. I just try to keep the levels in my memory banks (which are predominantly fried like my dashboard, but that’s another story).
My point is this: We are never ever completely ‘driving blind.’ There are always additional methods to gauge our progress along life’s path.
Some of these methods might not be our first choice, but when our primary navigation systems are malfunctioning (or seemingly nonexistent), we can always manage ourselves with alternative methods.
Do you rely on a primary system that monitors your personal progress?
Has that foundation/system ever run amok?
What are some other methods you could employ that help you keep your pace, and allow you to keep your progress?
Better yet, try incorporating awareness and other alternative methods in your daily routine.
Run your day “outside the box.” Switch gears and gauge yourself in different ways (before your fall-back system takes a dive).
Just thoughts.
One of the most beneficial “healthy habits” i’ve picked up through the years, amidst any bad ones and the ones that failed to forge, or are still in the forging process, is not really a habit or anything new at all. I try my damndest to integrate positive reminders, road signs, affirmations and resources into my life as much as possible. The internet, and the fact that I have a laptop now (finally) have made it much easier to arm myself with support. From linking with powerful people like yourself to creating a world (in my laptop if nowhere else) adorned in visual signs and tools to help me stay focused on what matters. My intuition is my greatest guide, and thank God as I am not the most highly functioning individual =0)
Funny and helpful at the same time. Thanks Avia!
Doing the road trip thing for the next little bit. Hubby’s 40th class
reunion! As often enough, keep fingers crossed and “high beams”
for us as we hit the dusty trail.
Many Thanks 😉
Vera
Your post took me back to my days with my beloved, falling apart Jeep. I utilize a lot of meditation and mindfulness throughout my days to gauge where I am and keep mental check on what I need, what my body is saying, and what my mind is saying. I also utilize the information I glean from my dreams to help me find potential areas that need attention.
Great post… Love the woodchuck story.. sad, but after this many years has to be pretty humorous to share!