In a less than 2 weeks I will be headed to the annual hypnotist's convention in Marlborough, MA. I'm excited to see friends and meet new people, be steeped in the world of hypnosis, as well as present 3 seminars. I'm also aware I need to drive there first.
Last year's trip pinged a lot of my discomfort zones and frankly a few fears. I left 1 1/2 hours late, incorrectly rewrote the directions and missed a key highway, got lost which added 2 hours to the trip, and got caught in a thunderstorm and since my car accident 2 years ago I'm not fond of them. I had wanted to be more spontaneous and go with the flow of things, so I did my best to enjoy the pasture lands and the animals I drove by, but after an hour I checked my iPad and saw how far off course I'd gotten. Somehow I'd returned to NY state when I should have stayed in CT. Don't ask.
As I joined the 2 mile lane of traffic for my exit on Mass Pike, you guessed it, my gas gauge light went on. I knew I was low on gas but somewhere in my mind I wasn't going to pay the high price of gas in NY (did I say I passed by the gas/food stop before the Tappan Zee Bridge?) while knowing it would be higher in MA. I am reasonably intelligent, with good common sense but it wasn't evident in this moment. There's a range indicator in my car and I had 35 miles worth of gas in the tank and I was now in stop and go traffic. Did I know how far the next gas station and my exit were? Hell no. I had visions of being on the side of the highway waiting for AAA to tow my car; at least I had my AAA card with me!
A few weeks before my trip, I had told Jim that I wanted a divorce and I had this story in my mind that if I called him he wouldn't want to help me. Under this were my fears of not being able to make it on my own. I couldn't even get to the convention I'd been going to for years so what was I thinking getting divorced???!!
I also felt incredibly alone in the world.
But I did not know anything else I could do while driving so I called Jim. He was gracious (why wouldn't he be??) and he told me what I needed to know. I think he also said to call him when I got to the hotel. On some level I also needed to connect to another human being. Armed with information and 25 more miles left in my gas tank, I continued on. When I got to my exit I knew there were gas stations right there. Before I gassed up I saw there were 4 more miles left in my tank. Whew!
When I finally got to the hotel 3 hours later than planned, I was told they didn't have my reservation. I had my confirmation number and within 10 minutes I had a room with the fridge I had requested.
What did I learn?
Beth
Last year's trip pinged a lot of my discomfort zones and frankly a few fears. I left 1 1/2 hours late, incorrectly rewrote the directions and missed a key highway, got lost which added 2 hours to the trip, and got caught in a thunderstorm and since my car accident 2 years ago I'm not fond of them. I had wanted to be more spontaneous and go with the flow of things, so I did my best to enjoy the pasture lands and the animals I drove by, but after an hour I checked my iPad and saw how far off course I'd gotten. Somehow I'd returned to NY state when I should have stayed in CT. Don't ask.
As I joined the 2 mile lane of traffic for my exit on Mass Pike, you guessed it, my gas gauge light went on. I knew I was low on gas but somewhere in my mind I wasn't going to pay the high price of gas in NY (did I say I passed by the gas/food stop before the Tappan Zee Bridge?) while knowing it would be higher in MA. I am reasonably intelligent, with good common sense but it wasn't evident in this moment. There's a range indicator in my car and I had 35 miles worth of gas in the tank and I was now in stop and go traffic. Did I know how far the next gas station and my exit were? Hell no. I had visions of being on the side of the highway waiting for AAA to tow my car; at least I had my AAA card with me!
A few weeks before my trip, I had told Jim that I wanted a divorce and I had this story in my mind that if I called him he wouldn't want to help me. Under this were my fears of not being able to make it on my own. I couldn't even get to the convention I'd been going to for years so what was I thinking getting divorced???!!
I also felt incredibly alone in the world.
But I did not know anything else I could do while driving so I called Jim. He was gracious (why wouldn't he be??) and he told me what I needed to know. I think he also said to call him when I got to the hotel. On some level I also needed to connect to another human being. Armed with information and 25 more miles left in my gas tank, I continued on. When I got to my exit I knew there were gas stations right there. Before I gassed up I saw there were 4 more miles left in my tank. Whew!
When I finally got to the hotel 3 hours later than planned, I was told they didn't have my reservation. I had my confirmation number and within 10 minutes I had a room with the fridge I had requested.
What did I learn?
- Managing your time now can reap great benefits later on
- Recheck what you write down
- When you need something (or your gas tank does) consider getting it when the opportunity presents itself and do not wait until it becomes urgent
- Planning doesn't mean you get what you want, but you might stay in the right state
- Stories you make up in your mind are just stories, get a reality check instead by asking/doing
- Keep confirmation numbers
- Find in the situation something you can be grateful for no matter how small
- Know you're never as alone as you feel---reach out even when it's scary
- I am so much stronger, able, and capable than I realize
Beth
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