The Time Out

I was driving down US 59 North in the city when some guy in a minivan got in my way so I cussed him out; “what the helping are you doing you blank of a blank!!??” Instantly, I felt ashamed because that’s not the way a Christian should act let alone talk. I try to control my tongue, my thoughts too, but while driving I don’t do very well with that. Usually it’s because I'm impatient with other drivers.  Although I felt bad, I knew that just feeling bad wasn’t enough. I had to kill this thing (my foul mouth) or at least teach it to respect authority -God’s.  I knew what to do, it’s something I used to do before when I was more, radical? I call it the 'Road Rage Time Out' (RRTO) it works like this. I must make a mandatory exit from the freeway as soon as it is safely possible. Then I have to park my car for a full five minutes to Eat, Pray, Love. No not the movie by that name, I’m talking about communing with God by reading scriptures eat. Then I'll pray for the person I just blessed out and in so doing put some love back into my heart.  Making a five minute stop is difficult because it could make me late for something or at least inconvenience me. But that's the whole point of an RRTO. After I finish making my amends, I'll continue on my way -but as a changed man. No longer feeling angry or impatient but instead calm, serene, forgiving and right with God. If you do this every time you get road rage you might find that you'll soon change your behavior for the better. It's worked for me, it had to. Otherwise driving even a short distance would take me a very long time. 

A Penny for Your Thoughts (More Cowbell)

The last time I used that expression, "A penny for your thoughts" was while romantically gazing into my 'new' girlfriend's eyes. She is now my wife. I guess what I meant then was, what are you thinking right now, about me? For an answer, she literally jumped into my arms and I never forgot that. It's a good expression I think, one that you might consider using yourself, but you may not get the same results. But that's my 'two cents' anyway. Yes, I'm an incurable romantic -I've got a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell.

We're all in the same boat (Quick Changes to make)

Three quick changes to make immediately to prepare for the future.

Number one. Get a Will. 71% of adult Americans don't have one and it is a big mistake. I think it would be fair to say that of all the people living today 100% of them will be dead within a God given time. Take it from me, you need a Will. It's not as expensive as you may think for a lawyer to prepare one. One simple Will costs under two hundred dollars but can save your poor loved ones thousands of dollars and volumes of frustration at the worst possible time. I refuse to refer people to self help make your own will websites because I have seen too many mistakes made by people without a clear understanding of the consequences of the words and phrases they choose to put in their will. It would be much better to talk to a lawyer and avoid making rookie mistakes in your Will. 

Number 2. Get a Durable Power of Attorney signed for yourself and by each of your elder loved ones.  It's used for  giving your spouse or another trustworthy person the legal power to make financial decisions for you should you become mentally incapacitated.

Number 3. The next thing for your immediate attention is to get Uninsured Motorists Coverage. There are so many people riding around out there without car insurance either because they can't afford it; or they are unreliable bill payers and their insurance gets cancelled for non-payment just moments before they crash their car into yours. See my earlier blog post Insure yourself against the Uninsured.

Make these changes today while there is still time. You won't regret it and you'll thank me for it latter.