How to Enjoy the Ride National Parents Center

How to Enjoy the Ride

January 11, 2011 – 11:59 pm

Earlier this year, I took a boat trip to the Norfolk Broads. It was a 2-hour trip that promised to be scenic. But barely was I into the first hour when I started to get bored. I started to ponder why this happened because I promise you, the trip was scenic alright. Reflecting after the boat trip, I discovered some facts about myself:

1. I have a tendency to be impatient. Given the chance, I would ‘fast-forward’ my way through life and stop at the bits that interest me. In so doing, my mind is constantly racing ahead and possibly missing out on my today, i.e. the present. Lesson: Slow down and accept the fact that the present is perfect. Moreover, through the process of time, the meaning of life unfolds, growth takes place and I become a better person.

2. I find myself craving excitement, at times, to my own detriment. My trip to Norfolk was supposed to be a relaxing and reflective trip, giving me a chance to get off the treadmill and be ‘one with nature’ and all that. Lesson: I need to frame my mind around the purpose of the task, i.e. the trip. I may also need to plan an adrenalin-filled trip too as my cravings for excitement could mean I don’t get enough.

3. I frequently find myself in ‘what next?’ mode. This means I don’t allow myself to simply ‘be’ and get out of planning or ‘maximizing every minute’ mode. It’s like time management gone over the top! Lesson: Learn to turn off my inner, mental scheduler/to-do list. And when a task comes to mind outside a time slot I set, the automatic response should be “I’m not available.”

4. At times, I set my expectations too high. I mean, what was I expecting on a boat that moves at 5 miles per hour? And when expectations are not managed, disappointment sets in. Lesson: Manage my expectations appropriately as there maybe times I cannot influence the outcome. Like in the case of my boat trip, there was nothing I could do to influence the speed of the boat. The only thing I could change was my attitude.

5. I tend to focus on the big versus the small or the complex versus the simple. As a result, I miss out on the things that don’t catch my attention – though they may be profound, significant or rewarding. Lesson: Get out of living in ‘tunnel vision’ mode. Give my attention to all things as I may be missing out on life itself. Frequently, I have to remind myself that life is not a rehearsal. This is it, i.e. the only chance I will get. So, just like me, maybe you need to take a closer look at what’s going on in your world.

To help you along, consider the following:
Are you enjoying YOUR ride? If not, why might this be?
Based on your life experiences, what lessons might life be trying to teach you?
What changes do you feel will help you enjoy the ride more and live your best life? (Focus on the aspects of your life you can change, i.e. yourself and not others)

National Parents Center