Something From Your Past

Does your current self need something from your past?

This could be something practical, like exercise or walk around the block. Maybe take an art or martial arts class?

For a few decades, I lived in my car or the airport. That travel time allowed me to think about strategy, brainstorm, listen to books, podcasts, etc. I used that time to return calls and stay in touch with folks.

Some of my weeks would clock in at 1,000 miles. My most excessive drive time was a few years ago during the month of June. For the entire month, I drove from Florida to SC, SC to West Virginia, West Virginia to NYC, NYC to Vermont. Heading into NYC and finding that Enterprise was an experience in itself (remember I live in Mayberry).?

During that long month of driving,?something memorable happened. On the stretch from NYC to Vermont, I followed the GPS showing the shortest route. This route told me to cross a lake. There was no bridge. I was confused. Then I saw the ferry landing that was going to take me with my rental car. (If you watch "The Office," I felt like Michael and Dwight arguing about “taking a right” and it clearly takes them into a river.)

When I got out of college, we used paper maps. Then we moved to MapQuest and I thought that was great. Finally, we have GPS!?

With the help of GPS, I had more?driving think time.?And with those countless hours in the car,?I learned the importance of reflection.?Listening to myself is important. I learned when I need?to learn with a book or podcast. Or know when I should tune it all out and listen to music, which creates space for my mind to work and let the brainstorming take place.

I may not be driving 1,000 miles a week anymore. And, I don't really miss spending?that?much time in the car, but a few weeks ago, I grabbed the keys and spent 2 hours in the car.

That?driving think time?was what I needed as I strategically figure solutions to opportunities that lie ahead. And I may start driving again (in smaller doses) to gain that flow of thoughts that oddly (at times) I miss.?

What is something from your past that you might like to start again?

As always, thanks for letting me share,

Catherine aka Katie