I’ve been laughing, and sometimes cringing, when driving lately. There are drivers on the road whose bodies may be behind the wheel, but their attention is elsewhere. Is it on their coffee? Are they on phones? The open newspaper on the seat next to them? I’m not sure, but I was amazed to see that in one case, it was the blue glow of an open computer screen, and the driver had only one hand on the wheel. I’ve learned a lot of lessons, cautionary tales, but they were all bundled in the same theme:

Don’t be THAT guy!

Mindfulness is a way of focusing your attention fully on where you are and what you are doing, right at that moment. I usually think of it as a way to keep myself healthy, focused, grounded, and aware. It’s good for me. But lately I realize that keeping one’s mind on the present moment is also good for the people around me. When parenting, being fully engaged with my child. Intentionally noticing the beautiful things around me and feeling gratitude. Seeing the humanity in the people around me and feeling compassion. And, yes, realizing that my car is not just transporting me; it is interacting with many people’s lives.

A wise person recently told me that he wants to make a difference in the world, and initially thought it had to be through his career choice. Lately, though, he said, “Maybe I can just be the guy in a car who is kind to the other drivers, waves someone ahead, smiles in beltway traffic, and just makes a few people’s days easier.”

My goal is to be THAT guy 🙂