Not Going There

Earlier this week, while driving my normal route, I found the main ramp to the highway closed for repairs. Trusting GPS to get back on track, I followed the directions and found myself in the shady side of town. But, after a few turns, I was back to familiar territory.  Getting sidetracked can be annoying or worse since there’s always the opportunity for adventure or dangers. Take a look at this:

                                     https://youtu.be/jXil9P1xqKI

Have you wondered what could happen in this kind of situation? The agency puts layers of precautions in place for protection, but if anyone fails to follow directions, a “floater’s” fate isn’t pretty.  

We all need safety measures in place for when we feel off track. Rescue missions come in all forms. If you began floating from your normal routines, heading in a dangerous direction, what type of rescue mission would put you back on course?

More Than a Cart Decision

I have a hidden talent that doesn’t show up until I enter a grocery store. You see, I have the keen ability to pick the wonkiest shopping cart in the corral.  Once I get fifteen yards inside the store entrance, the nonsense starts. The cart’s wheels wobble in different directions turning the shopping experience into an athletic event as I struggle to steer clear of people and products. On another visit, I might grab a different cart with the wheels that make squeaky, squealing noises causing temporary brain injury. In today’s economy, store managers would much rather generate sales than repair rogue carts. I imagine managers advising complaining customers to simply avoid the wacky carts (as if I could). See if this poor gentleman can sidestep shopping cart wackiness:

                                         http://youtu.be/wUgNfhPd0uQ

Showdowns! That explains why the carts malfunction. I can’t believe those two engaged in a two-minute shopping cart dance and never spoke a word—no communication whatsoever. We’ll make smarter decisions and experience better results when we talk to the right people, especially to those who provide good insight, advice and direction. Who’s your best advisor when you need sound guidance for important decisions?    

Got GPS?

Raise your hand if you use a GPS. Are they installed in all new cars yet? I have a “mature” vehicle and it definitely didn’t come with one. We do own a portable GPS, but I avoid using it because I’ve heard stories about drivers who faithfully follow directions from the voice in the box and end up in the wrong location anyhow. I depend on directions printed out from the online services, I need to clutch that paper and see my route laid out, line by line.

I’m also bothered by that pleasant GPS voice. When I’m in the car and the voice says to turn right, I feel  we should turn left just to make it say, “Recalculating….”  My husband and I joke that manufacturers should design a nagging GPS so when you miss a turn it yells, “Hey! Didn’t you hear me? What’s your problem? Do you want to be late?” Now that’s a gag gift.  Speaking of gags and directions, take a look at this:

   

Like the driver in the video, I will ask for help when I’m lost. Usually, after I ask for directions, I discover that my destination is right around the corner. The other day, I couldn’t find the candy section in a store. I looked around for a little while and finally asked a nearby clerk for assistance. Can you believe he pointed to the shelf next to me and there sat the candy?

Sometimes we’re perfectly positioned to reach our destination, but if we click off the GPS and discard those printed directions too soon we'll find ourselves peering out and thinking, “How in the world did I get here?”   

Who or what functions as your GPS? How do you stay grounded and headed in the right direction?