HEAD ON
What happens when there’s no time to think?
“Is that car coming right at us?” I ask Alisa.
“Sure looks like it.” Her voice is full of terror.
“This is a problem.
He’s not getting back in his lane.
What do I do, babe?
What do I do?
He’s closer, maybe 100 meters away.
What do I do?
50 now.
What do I do?
What do I do?!”
SMASH.
Okay, so none of that actually happened, except the near head-on collision on a two-lane highway in Costa Rica just north of Manuel Antonio. Alisa was next to me in the passenger seat, holding Lela. I was driving while holding Rocky, our other Yorkie.
There was a friend in the back, no others cars ahead of me... but then I saw it.
A car moved into my lane to pass the car in front of him—a common occurrence in Costa Rica… but what’s far less common is that he’s not getting back in his lane.
Within a few seconds, this deadly game of chicken will be over, one way or another.
I don’t have time to think.
I don’t have time to strategize.
I don’t have time to worry.
In this life-or-death situation... something takes my hands and gently steers the car onto the shoulder, which wasn’t there a moment ago, just in time for the oncoming car to whiz by us—IN OUR LANE.
I ease back into our lane from the shoulder and look at Alisa, her eyes wide open. They meet my wide-open eyes as I say, “What the hell just happened?”
Shaken up but totally fine. Wow. The pups didn’t even notice, and neither did our friend in the back.
In a moment…
A breath…
A few heartbeats…
I realize that problems don’t exist in reality. They only exist in our heads.
Without the commentary, the chatter, the analyzing, the narration, the drama... there is simply this moment.
And while living presently, in this moment, we are given all the tools to be able to respond precisely as necessary... in each moment.
And that ability to respond is responsibility.
So... could it actually be our responsibility to NOT worry?
~~~
If you’re ready to let go of worries and remember that problems only exist in our heads, join me at The Return this Wednesday evening, August 19th. Reserve your seat.
If this resonated, share it with someone who could use it today—or share it with everyone. It's one of the greatest compliments you can give.
Until next time, Freethinker… stay present, be pleasant, and have an amazing day 🙏
Mike Messeroff
Founder of The Carpe Diem Company
Personal Freedom Coach and Creator of Self-Hospitality™
Author of Dogs Get It: Advice I learned from my best friend