How many times have we heard this… or said it? I really don’t think many of us possess a large dose of patience – I know I don’t. We want to get to wherever the destination is, but that mindset typically precludes us from enjoying and appreciating the journey. And truly that’s what we need to do – actually see and hear what’s in the trip. There are so many things we can learn but there is also the simple pleasure of enjoying the time.
Regardless of what’s ‘there’ when we get there, most of us don’t focus on the ‘going’, we focus on the ‘there’. But what would happen if we did begin to look around at the passing scenery? We certainly wouldn’t get to our destination any later nor would we arrive sooner. Most people would turn on their radio or put in a CD. If there were passengers, even ‘children’, entertaining them would be one of the foremost thoughts. However, if there are others with us, do we use that time to share, to learn more about them or if they are a ‘known’, simply take them for granted? Does silence prevail?
The one thing about this kind of journey is that you are either alone with your thoughts, attempting to cover up your thoughts with music or the radio, or mindless conversation. Whether the trip takes hours or less than 30 minutes, this can be a very valuable time in your day. Somehow we need to transcend the ‘are we there yet’ mindset. If there are others with us who are anxious about the getting there, we can be a calming influence if our attitude is one of ‘let’s enjoy the trip’. Discovering more about your companions (or if alone, yourself) can be invaluable.
I don’t think I was always quite that sanguine… but maybe. I loved getting in the car and going wherever we were going. It was fun playing the mind games we did like how many state tags do you see, or how many different kinds of animals, or how far away in miles a certain object was. Simple? Yes but I still remember these things so…. a delightful memory as well. Obviously we eventually ‘got there’ but the getting there was…. priceless.
… so, are you there yet?
