Driving, the choice is yours
Over the last little while, I have had the opportunity to sit in the passenger seat while, several of my children sit behind the wheel for the first time. Like many of you, these experiences have given me a new perspective on the paths we take, the roads we travel, and the justifications we make while doing so, especially in light of recent media attention in the ever changing values of the world. I have felt impressed to share some of those eye opening perspectives with you. I don't know that they are anything earth shattering, but more that they have helped me define more clearly who I am, what I stand for, and what I believe.
First, I would like point out that each of my children have spent hundreds of hours in the car with my wife, family, and myself. They have had the opportunity to observe the driving habits of many. They have also been given the opportunity to know the streets and furrow ways of not only our little community, but they have traveled with us to far and distant lands. There, they have been give the opportunity to observe the differences in road conditions, traffic laws, and community planning. However, it is not until they are actually sitting behind the wheel that they have start to truly apply those observed opportunities. In fact, I have learned that more than not, they have not really taken full advantage of the hours of observations. Most of the time they are attached to their personal devices of sorts, reading the unseen visions on the back of their eyelids, or just completely zoned out to other worlds and places.
During one of my most recent adventures, we both knew our origin and destination. We had a time frame and much to accomplish. Once in the vehicle, the question was asked, "OK, how do we get there?" I quietly replied that the "Choice" was theirs, they were driving.
Isn't that the way it always is, whether behind the wheel or not. We know our origins, whether we want to be known for them or not. We know our destination as well. But when we are given the keys and authority to start the path, we realize that there are infinitely different ways to get there. The choice is ours.
I have found that as we start out, each of my children generally follow the same paths they have observed me taking, especially if the destination is one we frequent regularly. However, on this occasion, it was not one of those destinations. The road conditions were not the most favorable, inclement weather and such, and it would seem that there were hundreds of other travelers seeking the same destination. I could tell that with these conditions, the choices or the desire to make the right choice was becoming a little overwhelming. Fear or pressure of not making the best choice or being making a choice that would compound the potential dangers around us was becoming heavy. At that point, my child turned to me and asked again, "Which way should we go?"
This time, my answer was different. I found myself thinking of all the different paths we could take, but more importantly, I was thinking of my child, their strengths and weakness, and which of those paths would be better suited for them and the conditions they found themselves in. I did not want to take the choice away, but rather gave them suggestions that would get us to our destination and yet possibly lighten the burden they were feeling at the moment.
In the end, they made the choice, though less burdensome, the journey did not come without adventure. There were times that wrong turns were taken, that drivers impeded our speed or desired routes, when weather conditions made maneuvering less than desirable, and/or traffic laws were disregarded. Each time, a new choice presented itself. Would we right the wrong paths we had taken or continue down the road to see where it took us? Would we blame others or our circumstances for us not making to our destination or would we take responsibility for what we could control and move forward without judgement? Would we justify our disregard for right and wrong to make us feel better or accept the consequences and choose to obey?
For me, a great lesson was learned. Like my children, I have had many opportunities to observe. I have been taught by example correct paths and/or principles to follow in my life. After making those observations, I have been given control, to choose for myself how I will apply them to the paths I choose to follow and how I will get to the destination. When the pressures of life become overwhelming, I am grateful to know that I am able to call upon a loving Heavenly Father, who knows me personally. He will take into consideration me, who I am, and what I am capable of, before giving me guidance, yet letting me choose in the end which path I will follow or which counsel I will accept. I continue to learn that as always, the choice is mine. Regardless of the mistakes I make, the choices others make around me, the conditions I find myself in, or God given Light within me, I know what is right and wrong. It is up to me to justify, disregard, or obey. I choose to do my best to obey. It is not always easy. It is not always fun. And in the end, I only have control over what I do, not what other choose to do. For they, like myself, have been given the choice of driving.
First, I would like point out that each of my children have spent hundreds of hours in the car with my wife, family, and myself. They have had the opportunity to observe the driving habits of many. They have also been given the opportunity to know the streets and furrow ways of not only our little community, but they have traveled with us to far and distant lands. There, they have been give the opportunity to observe the differences in road conditions, traffic laws, and community planning. However, it is not until they are actually sitting behind the wheel that they have start to truly apply those observed opportunities. In fact, I have learned that more than not, they have not really taken full advantage of the hours of observations. Most of the time they are attached to their personal devices of sorts, reading the unseen visions on the back of their eyelids, or just completely zoned out to other worlds and places.
During one of my most recent adventures, we both knew our origin and destination. We had a time frame and much to accomplish. Once in the vehicle, the question was asked, "OK, how do we get there?" I quietly replied that the "Choice" was theirs, they were driving.
Isn't that the way it always is, whether behind the wheel or not. We know our origins, whether we want to be known for them or not. We know our destination as well. But when we are given the keys and authority to start the path, we realize that there are infinitely different ways to get there. The choice is ours.
I have found that as we start out, each of my children generally follow the same paths they have observed me taking, especially if the destination is one we frequent regularly. However, on this occasion, it was not one of those destinations. The road conditions were not the most favorable, inclement weather and such, and it would seem that there were hundreds of other travelers seeking the same destination. I could tell that with these conditions, the choices or the desire to make the right choice was becoming a little overwhelming. Fear or pressure of not making the best choice or being making a choice that would compound the potential dangers around us was becoming heavy. At that point, my child turned to me and asked again, "Which way should we go?"
This time, my answer was different. I found myself thinking of all the different paths we could take, but more importantly, I was thinking of my child, their strengths and weakness, and which of those paths would be better suited for them and the conditions they found themselves in. I did not want to take the choice away, but rather gave them suggestions that would get us to our destination and yet possibly lighten the burden they were feeling at the moment.
In the end, they made the choice, though less burdensome, the journey did not come without adventure. There were times that wrong turns were taken, that drivers impeded our speed or desired routes, when weather conditions made maneuvering less than desirable, and/or traffic laws were disregarded. Each time, a new choice presented itself. Would we right the wrong paths we had taken or continue down the road to see where it took us? Would we blame others or our circumstances for us not making to our destination or would we take responsibility for what we could control and move forward without judgement? Would we justify our disregard for right and wrong to make us feel better or accept the consequences and choose to obey?
For me, a great lesson was learned. Like my children, I have had many opportunities to observe. I have been taught by example correct paths and/or principles to follow in my life. After making those observations, I have been given control, to choose for myself how I will apply them to the paths I choose to follow and how I will get to the destination. When the pressures of life become overwhelming, I am grateful to know that I am able to call upon a loving Heavenly Father, who knows me personally. He will take into consideration me, who I am, and what I am capable of, before giving me guidance, yet letting me choose in the end which path I will follow or which counsel I will accept. I continue to learn that as always, the choice is mine. Regardless of the mistakes I make, the choices others make around me, the conditions I find myself in, or God given Light within me, I know what is right and wrong. It is up to me to justify, disregard, or obey. I choose to do my best to obey. It is not always easy. It is not always fun. And in the end, I only have control over what I do, not what other choose to do. For they, like myself, have been given the choice of driving.
Comments