Stay Focused

Yesterday I visited a friend, which took me to a highway entrance I very rarely use. As I handled the curve to enter the highway, as always, I had a flashback reminding me why this particular entrance was so “special” to me. Years ago my dad used to go grocery shopping in the area and this was the entrance he would use to get on the highway and go home. I always remembered that entrance because it was dark and “scary” in my four and five year old mind. On the curve is a big boulder, which seemed to come at me as dad was driving. I would close my eyes and hope nothing happened.

When I first started driving, I actually went looking for that entrance so I could experience it for myself. As an adult, it no longer felt “scary,” in regards to the boulder coming at me. However, there remained a certain fear as I tried to handle the curve as an inexperienced driver. Along the divider I noticed black skid marks of other vehicles, whose drivers must have underestimated or overestimated the depth of the turn and collided with the cement blocks. But as I took the entrance yesterday, I noticed a new feature on the dividers, reflectors. This made me think about a couple things I would like to share with you this morning, on the topic – “Stay Focused.”

As a four year old, buckled in the backseat of the BMW, I was never afraid of my dad’s driving (even though I’m sure he was pushing the speed limit). I knew I was with my dad and he would keep me safe. The reason he was able to take the curve so seamlessly, was because he knew the curve and he stayed focused. Dad was alert while driving, knowing at what point to downshift in order to allow for optimal performance (which he enjoyed) and getting safely around the curve (which was needed).

The skid marks on the divider are a representation of drivers who are not focused. Whether you’re a new driver or experienced one, if you don’t know the corner, there is a risk of crashing your car. You have to keep your eyes on the road, especially at night, and allow your headlights to assist you. Now, they have placed reflectors on the dividers, giving distracted drivers an opportunity to make it safely around the curve, with some assistance.

There are a lot of curves that we encounter in life. Some we can enter at a fast pace, while there are others which will require us to downshift, in order to make it around successfully. Just remember to “Stay Focused” and you’ll come around fine.