It always surprises me when I see drivers accelerating toward a red light in the near distance. They speed past me mindlessly toward the impending stop, only to slam on the brakes at the last moment. I shake my head in wonder: “What are you thinking? You SEE the light is red!”
I suppose the oil companies and repair shops appreciate their behavior (and they probably wonder why they’re replacing brake pads so often).
There’s a parallel here to our lives in Chapter X. We follow lifelong patterns, doing what we’ve always done without considering the consequences.
Our decades of work were filled with stress, demands, pressure, exhaustion, insanely long hours, and the relentless drive for success. We carry that with us into our next phase of life in how we think and act, trying to replace the same methods, tactics, beliefs, and behaviors into a whole new life.
Being driven by purpose is wonderful. Finding purpose and meaning in life is a gift. Living your values is the pinnacle. But we can also learn to embrace a new paradigm—one that allows us to take our collective feet off the gas pedal and enjoy the journey just a little bit more.
