A couple of weeks ago I was driving on the highway when my attention assist warning came on and it inspired me to write this blog post. For those of you who are not familiar with attention assist, it is a safety system intended to help drivers recognize when they are drowsy or inattentive and encourage them to take a break. When drivers are alert, this safety system, constantly and subconsciously, monitors the position of their car and make continual small steering adjustments to keep the vehicle on a safe path. However, when drivers have periods of inattentiveness, during which there is a little steering input, followed by sudden and exaggerated corrections when the driver regains attention. Attention assist uses a sensitive steering angle sensor to monitor the way in which the driver is controlling the car. Usually, at speeds between 50 and 150 mph, the system identifies a steering pattern which is characteristic of drowsy driving and combines this with other information such as time of day and duration of journey. If such a sequence of events is identified the system warns the driver to take a break by showing a coffee cup signal in the dash and by an audible tone.
I hope, you have all enjoyed my little expose on vehicle’s safety system (I'm sorry to those who fount it boring, my nerdy alter ego couldn't help it 😆). Ok let’s get back to the reason why I am writing this post.
I was on the highway with my attention assist on, warning me to take a break and of course there was no way I could stop on the highway so I just had to keep going and then I had a light bulb moment: how many of us has kept on going even when we were tired or enduring intense moments of fatigue? How many of us are actually able to slow down and savor life/the present moment? I was reading an author someday that mentioned society has made us more human doings, and less human beings. It becomes harder to just rest and be present, because we are always rushing to the next thing, or always distracted by our phones, social media etc… When do we take a break and just savor the present moment?
Over the years, one of the most important lessons I have learned is that the present moment is the most precious gift we have in life. The past is gone, and tomorrow is not promise, so all we have is now. So one of the things I am working on is to enjoy the aroma of the present, day by day, minute by minute; whether it's when I am outside, basking in the warmth of sun while admiring Mother Nature's beauty or even letting. my taste buds dance with the flavors in a meal. So I would like to remind each and everyone of you that there's so much beauty, freedom and joy in the NOW. Enjoy the present, treat each moment like it's your last 💕 ( this is actually my motto 😉)
One of the quotes I would like to leave you with is: "The foundation of greatness is honoring the small things of the present moment, instead of pursuing the idea of greatness.” - Eckart Tolle
I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments, please let me know if this a practice you have developed or something you will be implementing from now on.
PS: Eckart Tolle is one of my favorite authors and his book "the power of now" changed my life. I highly recommend it!
Until Next Time,
Winnie