Being the driver is great because you get to steer. You get to be in control of a huge piece of machinery, a beast that can efficiently drive you to your destination or run over your dog. You get to decide what it does, where it goes, and how fast it gets there.

But if you're always looking in the rear view mirror at the things you ran over and the places you've been, you'll drive straight into a wall (or into a tree, over a group of school children, or off a cliff...). Glance in your mirror once in awhile because it reminds you of where you came from and helps you figure out if you've missed anything, like the entrance to the parking lot, but but just glance. Only glance! Don't stare at the mirror or the reflections in it.

Always focus on what's ahead of you so you'll know what you're about to run into or when the road is going to turn in a new direction. And get off of the damn phone, put down your text messenger, and pay attention while you're at it.

But mostly importantly, don't forget to plan out where you're going. Use a map, a compass, or a navigator, or ask for directions if you have to. Don't be afraid to drive around the block a second or third time or to make a u-turn if needed. Otherwise you'll end up lost in a bad part of town where some guy wearing shoes made out of chain mail and a t-shirt that reads "I hate Mondays" will steal your car and leave you for dead.

Now excuse me while I draw my map. I'm driving as far away as I can from the "I hate Mondays" guy and planning a trip for Happy Land.

Labels: The Quest for Happiness