Five habits that can lead to a happier life on the road (or anywhere else). Part 1

I decided to write this because I see and talk to a lot of unhappy and bored drivers “out there” on the road. I began asking myself why this is. Then I remembered that for a while, I was one of those negative, unhappy drivers myself until I made some changes. What did I do?

I went on an “Information Diet.”  I found some ways to “give back.” Found a portable hobby. Discovered some ways to “feed” my mind. And, I began to regularly focus on what I want.

Go on an Information Diet

In The Four Hour Workweek, author Tim Ferris talks about going on an information diet. Photographer Ken Rockwell wrote an article about media in general from an insider’s view. Both came to the same conclusion from different directions. Most of the information on the news, in television and on the radio is totally useless. It is almost always about something we either can't change or doesn't have any impact on us.

Your brain is limited in some ways. Most of us have about 50,000 thoughts a day on the average. We can best use those thoughts if they are directed in ways that are meaningful or help us attain specific goals. So, it doesn't make sense to use up some (or a lot) of thoughts on things we can't change or don't impact us.

Ken Rockwell is involved in the media business. He explains in his “Tv Makes You Stupid” article that most network media is designed to do one thing. Keep you involved long enough to watch commercials and register with rating services. Higher ratings mean they can charge more for advertisements. This includes any kind of program including the news.

An executive of one of the major news networks was criticized for the lack of “news" his network’s newscasts. He replied that the criticism was not valid since his broadcasts have nothing to do with news. He explained they exist to entertain, not inform.

Mr. Rockwell went on to say that no one he knows who is in the media business watches or listens much because they know that most of what is available is junk or inaccurate at the best. He added that movies are different because they have to be good enough to entice you to make the trip to the theater and pay for the tickets.

After a few months on an information diet you will start realizing that most of what is on the tube or radio is about what you don’t want, can’t have or should be afraid of. You will notice that you will far less frustration because you won’t be thinking about stuff you can’t change. Like what the fools are doing in the Capitol.

If it is important, you will hear about it and maybe do something besides just complain. Like right a letter or make a phone call to your representatives.

Give Back

Get two or more drivers (or just two or more people) together and usually sooner than later the topic turns to how bad things are. Sometimes the conversation turns to the, “If you think that’s bad, let me tell you about my company (my city, my wife, my kids) - the themes are endless. 

Where does all of that “bad" stuff come from? Maybe the news? See the Information Diet above.

The truth is, if you are jobless, living in a one-room apartment and are forced to pay for your groceries with food stamps, you are much better off than over 90% of the people on the planet. And if you go back in time, you are probably better off in many ways than even kings and queens of the past. 

The best way to appreciate the gifts you have been given is to find a way to give back to those who have less than you. Yes, that is hard on the road. But, you could do things like volunteering a day a month to serving at a soup kitchen or the food bank at home. Aren't home that often? Do it once every six weeks or even once a year.

If you go on the Information Diet, you will have some spare time and will be looking for things to do with the time you used to spend on watching I Love Lucy reruns.

You might consider something as simple as going on line and giving with a couple of mouse clicks. There are sites like The Hunger Site (www.thehungersite.com) where you can donate food, books and to other great causes just by clicking on a button. That’s right, it costs you nothing but the time it takes for the pages to load.

“But, I don't know about any service organizations in my home area." Ask your wife, next-door neighbor or stop by the parish or church office. Ask around and you will probably find dozens of opportunities to give back.

So, what do you get in return? You get some things that are priceless. Like self esteem. The more of “you” that you put into giving back, the greater your return. So, try to put something personal in your giving back. A morning or afternoon at the soup kitchen may do more good for you than any of the people you go there to serve.

Continued in Part 2