Two hot air balloons collide over France. Photo by Johann Dréo.
Tia Singh asked a question of her network this afternoon: “What’s the best advice you ever received?”
I’ve had this blog planned for a day, so it was easy to answer.
Watch Where You’re Going.
It was yesterday when I reflected on this advice, and I’m sure everyone’s gotten it at one point, as a child on a bicycle was peddling for all he was worth right at me as I made up the whole of the oncoming traffic on my own bike. He mirrored my every move and it was only at the last minute that I was able to avoid him.
When my brother began driving a fire truck for the local fire department, the first thing they told him was that if he drives the truck over a curb, he needs to buy ice cream for everyone on board. He later found out that they also chant “ICE CREEEEEEAM!” as they go over said curb, but his teacher told him that if he kept staring at every curb hoping not to run it over, he’ll run it over. Why?
Same reason the little kid kept aiming for me on his bike – we go where we’re watching. We often focus on what we see, what we fear or what we should avoid rather than where we should be heading. If we get bogged down by all the don’ts, obstacles and dangers in our way, how are we supposed to avoid them if we’re naturally drawn to them?
Simple – watch where you’re going.