This bicycle race photo was taken at the Oklahoma Senior Olympics 2003 in Tulsa at Mohawk Park.

FEATURE ARTICLE

Are You A Sunday Driver?
Author: Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW

ARE YOU A SUNDAY DRIVER?
I just finished my bike ride. I'm a regular bicycler and today was my 5th ride this week. It's a gorgeous day, sunny and pleasant at about 72 degrees this morning. It's also Sunday...

I'm always aware of traffic patterns. As a bicyclist it's the safest way to insure an accident-free ride. What I noticed today surprised and disturbed me. There I was, enjoying a beautiful Sunday ride and there were crazed drivers all around me.

Now, during the weekdays I often bicycle while most people are on their way to work. Today, compared to a weekday, was insane. The driving was more erratic. Cars were moving way beyond acceptable speed limits. Had this been just one car or two it likely wouldn't have stuck with me so strongly, but it was nearly every car that passed by. Some even honked at me as I pedaled along and I haven't been honked at in a couple of years.

The proverbial straw was when a Chevy Lumina came flying around my left side, missing me by inches, only to brake hard and pull into a church on my right for early services.

Now I can be a bit ornery and I thought for a moment about pulling right in and following them into the church. I said to myself, "Could there be a better place to spread the message I want to spread today?"

Here's the message --
Back when I grew up there was a term we used when someone was having a leisurely Sunday drive, remember? We called those people "Sunday Drivers." Whatever happened to Sunday Drivers?

I'm not one to preach but even God rested on the 7th day. Do you think God, being God and all, really needed to rest? Or was he sending a message to us?

Today we live more stressful lives than ever before in history. We have an average of 23 unexpected challenges during the course of one single day. As a life coach many people have shared how stressed out they are and ask what they can do about it.

As of today, I have one more fantastic tool in my arsenal of personal growth tools.

Become a Sunday Driver!

Better yet, really take Sunday to relax. Relax the mind. Relax the body. Nourish the spirit. Allow Sunday to be your day to soak up the energy you'll be needing for this next week. You'll be happy you did.

Oh, and if you plan to continue doing your Mario Andretti imitation on Sundays, just allow me the courtesy of knowing which roads you'll be traveling ;-)

To your wonderfully relaxing Sundays!

Warmly,

Dave Turo-Shields
Veteran Psychotherapist
Life Coach

"Dave Turo-Shields is an author, success coach and veteran psychotherapist who’s passion is guiding others to their own success in life. For weekly doses of the web’s HOTTEST success tips, sign up for Dave’s powerful 'Feeling Great!' ezine at www.Overcoming-Depression.com"