Driving Angel.

I got something special in the mail yesterday.

No, it wasn’t a long lost love letter, or a package containing the latest online splurge of mine.

Sadly, it was of the adult variety.

Luckily, it wasn’t a bill, but instead, a beacon from State Farm, to be used in conjunction with my “Drive Safe & Save” app. Basically, it tracks my driving and based on how well I drive, I get to save money for being safe on the road.

I know, sooooo lame, but any chance to save money to be used for a new dress or cup of coffee and I’m in!

Wow, I have really become an adult haven’t I?

Anyhow, what I noticed firsthand was that it literally felt like I was taking my driving exam and that there was someone there in the car watching me. Always watching.

Sometimes when I drive, especially when it’s the same route I take every day, day in and day out, I feel like I’m on autopilot.

Probably not couth to admit that, but I’ve got to be honest here!

I’ll admit, there are times when I drive and I have no recollection of the journey. It’s like I get to my destination and the whole drive was nonexistent.

It’s safe to say that having this new beacon in my car is good for me, because with just one day of driving, I am already hawk-eye aware of every move I make on the road: every brake, acceleration, turn, and even every interaction I have with my phone, which you DO get docked for!

So Day 1 with my beacon right? I’m driving home, keenly aware of all of my surroundings and as I’m passing the bridge over the Kenai River and into Soldotna, I notice a spectacular sunset off to my left.

A brilliant orange sun was just dipping below the dark tree line, and the river was reflecting the whole sky scene on its waters.

Quickly (but safely) turning into the Kenai River Lodge, I hopped out of my car and jogged onto the bridge, taking in this sunset, snapping photos and breathing it in.

I began to wonder: would I have seen this sunset had I not been so focused on my driving?

Normally, I would be ham jamming to my music, eyes ahead and focused on getting home quickly, and I honestly think I wouldn’t have seen this sunset had it been any other day. But today I did, and it was sunsational (pun always intended).

As annoying as it is to now have to drive like a pajama grandma on the road for the sake of saving a few dollars, I truly believe that it was a smart decision, for look what has already become of it!

It’s teaching me to slow down and soak in every moment, to observe, watch, and to embrace and live fully immersed in the present. I feel like my autopilot driving is sometimes applicable to life, in the sense that my days would be far richer in color if I took the time to look and appreciate all the beauty in my life.

Like the saying goes: “Every day may not be a good day, but there is good in every day.”

This was the good in my day, and all it took was a little invisible driving angel to remind me that it’s not about the destination or how fast I get there, it’s about the journey, and all the sunsets I’ll get to see on my way…