Speed Limit 35

I am not sure exactly when this happened or why it did now upon my turning 45 years old but I recently realized that most drivers are not paying attention on the road. I included myself in that group until this past June. We drive too fast. We are unpredictable in our movements. We multitask. We are not present.

If you are already a safe driver then please ignore my group statement. I thank you for your safety on the road while I have been half asleep at the wheel.

What I have finally come to realize is that accidents happen when someone is not paying attention. In the blink of an eye a life or lives can be ruined. All it takes is one unpredictable move or accelerating through a yellow light. One time. That’s it.

There will always be drivers that are not paying attention and I don’t want to be that person. I’ve worked too hard in my practice of becoming more mindful to throw it away on a stupid cell phone call or song change.

This realization has overwhelmed me this past month. I have awoken, so to speak. I have slowed down. I am driving the speed limit and stopping at the Stop Sign not 5 feet in front of it. I am not taking cell phone calls in my car. I am trying to pay attention.

I often say in class at Verge that our yoga practice creates steadiness in the mind so that we can make conscious decisions. There is more mental space after a yoga practice. It is in that space that we find the time to move and speak more mindfully.

Perhaps I have slowed down enough in my yoga practice to recognize how I am moving out there on the roads. Perhaps turning 45 years old has helped me recognize the fragility of my life. Who knows? All I know is that I feel better more peaceful in the car. It is a new practice for me. I call it Mindfulness Driving.

Hopefully this blog will encourage you to observe your driving style. Perhaps you have always been safe. Maybe you need a little nudge. Like I said, I am not sure why this awakening happened now, I am just grateful that it did.

Peace.

Cara