Put Your Hands on the Wheel
“Put your hands on the wheel, let the golden age begin.” – The Golden Age, Beck
The day of the self-driving car is coming soon.
Before you know it we will all be idle passengers, just sitting there as our car robotically drives us to our destination.
Kind of cool, but boring.
I prefer to drive the car. There is nothing like a hand full of wheel to feel alive. To feel some small amount of control in a world where we have so little.
Until the day of the autopilot car arrives…I am driving the car.
Unfortunately, the day of the autopilot life is already here.
People living the same day, over and over. Mindless passengers as mundane habits and routines drive them through life. Wake up, go to work, watch TV, go to sleep. Wake up, go to work, watch TV, go to sleep. And on and on, ad nauseam.
But not me. Nope. No way. I have been there and I am not going back. There have been long stretches of my life that have passed by, virtually unnoticed.
Not any more.
These days, I live my life with intention. A fully examined life. Socrates would be proud of me.
How do I do it?
- I practice Mindfulness.
- I take walks outdoors.
- I try to help others.
- I practice gratitude.
- I practice Stoicism.
- I set goals.
- I journal.
These habits keep me present and accounted for. They help me examine each day and treasure it for the unique gift that it is.
If I’m not careful, I will fall back into a mindless routine. And that’s no fun.
I would much rather put my hands on the wheel of my life.
And drive my car.
