Shift Your Focus, Shift Your Life
It was Easter weekend, my senior year of college. Ready to get home, see family, friends and eat something other than my staple “Melted Cheese on a Plate,” I began my two-hour drive. About halfway, I saw a State Trooper. Phew, my cruise was set to six over the 65 MPH speed limit.
All clear.
The squad car pulled out in front of me and sped up to a non-law-abiding citizen. Thoughts raced in my mind. Oh gosh, this is going to be awesome. I’ve always wanted to see someone get pulled over. WHY, you ask? … I ask myself the same question. The next thing I knew, my foot became heavier on the pedal and I cruised past my set cruise control. Ramping up to 85 MPH in the same 65 MPH zone, the thrill of what I was about to see was getting me giddy. I was still behind the cop when things began to slow down… the cop backed off the car we were both chasing and my speedometer read, “79… 70… 63… 50… 45…” — on the Interstate.
Have you ever seen a cop pull someone over with yellow lights? I hadn’t either. Somehow it still did not process that I was the one getting pulled over until she turned her right blinker on and stuck her hand up out of her window for me to follow suit.
When she approached my Buick Skylark, she asked why I sped up when I clearly knew she was in front of me. I could not come up with an answer that made sense. Heck, it didn’t even make sense to me. She kindly educated me: squad cars have radar in the back as well. You’re welcome.
I thanked her for the new information as she asked for my license and proof of insurance. It was at that moment that I thought of all the times my dad told me to keep that silly little piece of paper in my glove compartment. Guess what I didn’t do? Yep, this joke was now completely on me.
I handed her the pile of insurance cards I did have — all expired by two years or more. She was not impressed as I laughed through the warranted embarrassment.
So, here are the lessons:
- Listen to your dad when he constantly reminds you to keep your proof of insurance in your vehicle. Sorry, Dad.
- If you are going to try something like this, do it before a holiday weekend. This kind State Trooper let me off with a written warning since it was Easter weekend and I was an idiot. I mean, she didn’t say that last part but… that had to be what she thought as she walked to her car. Also, please just don’t try it.
- The real lesson. Focus on yourself, not the downfall of others. Why was I so adamant about seeing the person in front of me fail? Why wasn’t I more centered on myself doing the right thing, rather than enjoying the fault of someone else? Putting my focus on the car ahead of me caused me to misstep when I was on the right path initially.
Even when you aren’t aware that someone is watching you, do the right thing. I think we are all guilty of, at some point, concentrating on decisions others tend to make. If you focus on those decisions rather than your own, comparison can sneak its way into your life — and we’ve already established that comparison is the thief of joy (thanks, Teddy R.). Shift your focus in life to be on yourself and your purpose.
Only then can you enjoy the ride.
