Are You Living a ‘Drive-By’ Life?

Multiple times lately I have been driving to work when someone ahead of me is driving so slow I wondered if they were in driver’s training. In fact, today the person was going so slow that I started to believe it might be someone young without a driver’s license that took their parents car out without permission and had never driven on the road before!

You have probably been frustrated by slow drivers before, too. In my case, I drive on a two-lane, winding, country road with no chance of passing for 10-15 miles at a time. Luckily, I was not running late to an important meeting, so I just assumed it is a message from the universe to slow down.

Today, as I was forced to meander my way down the road, I started to explore more deeply why this keeps happening. Then it hit me. These slow drivers are not incredibly stupid and inept at driving—they are just driving slow enough to take in the beautiful scenery in front of them!

My drive is down a spectacular coastal road along the Pacific Ocean. I pass rolling hills, the ocean, Tomales Bay and Point Reyes National Seashore (one of the most visited National Parks in the U.S.).  Sailboats spot the bay. Cloudy and blue sky alike are always spectacular. By driving slowly, these people were enjoying the majesty I was ignoring.

I had to ask myself…

I remember times with my children when they were young when I was in a rush and missed being fully present with them. Times with friends when I might have listened more carefully to their stories. Or times with my Mom when she was slowing down, but I was speeding up.

What I realized is that if I am not careful, my whole life could be a ‘drive-by.’ So today I reached my destination grateful for the slow driver who gave me this reminder because tonight I am much less inclined to miss the moments of my life.

What about you? Are you stopping to smell the roses, or are you driving too fast to notice they bloomed?

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