My3Goals Blog

- Scott Shute

A few weeks ago we took a quick weekend trip to Tahoe for some skiing.  Starting under the milky shadows of the moonlight, with the stars still shining brightly, we packed up the kids and began the four hour drive, dreaming of the year’s first snowy run.  We were making great time, sailing along the orchards and dramatic hillside pastures as the sun painted a pastel breakfast.

With ~50 miles to go we reached the snow line, as well as the point where chain law was in effect on the roads.  The area had gotten nearly two feet of snow the day before.  The sun was shining brightly, but the snow was still a bit packed on the roads, so….chains.  There were signs posted (regularly) that said 25 MPH, but….c’mon, I thought they were more of a guideline.  After all, I grew up driving on the rock and dirt roads of rural Kansas in all kinds of crazy weather.

Soon we were stuck behind a little brown pickup doing about 20.  We named him Mr. Pokey.  I scowled.  I silently fumed.  We had been making such good time and now Mr. Pokey was determined to make our journey twice as long as it needed to be!  20!  Are you kidding me!

Back at home, we hadn’t just been burning the candles at both ends….the entire candle was on fire in a blaze of activity.  I had said “yes” to a few too many things.  Inside, I was a cold steel knot of stress.  Mr. Pokey was keeping me from the snow!  We were racing towards fun.  I punched it during the next long straightaway and we all waved happily at Mr. Pokey, shaking our heads at his overwhelming caution.

With the iPod cranked and the kids dancing in their seats, we were free to fly again.  And that’s when we saw him….”Mr. Mountain Sheriff”.  I drew my lips in a tight line as I pulled over, red lights flashing on his black SUV.  I knew immediately.  There would be no warning.  I had already passed over all of life’s warnings.  I had seen the signs that I needed a break from life’s fast lane, but I didn’t heed their cautionary signals.  So…a ticket. 

I drew a deep breath as I took it all in.  The meaning was clear.  It was a waking dream, where life’s events line up just so to give us a lesson.  If we listen carefully to life’s gentle rhythm’s, we see these all around us.  For me, I had missed the gentle nudges telling me to slow down (in life).  Actually, not quite true.  I had seen the signs but had chosen to keep moving fast, at a speed which was not healthy over the long journey.

I also knew, really clearly, that if I didn’t catch this lesson, the next one wouldn’t be so nice.  I had the choice to self-correct, or face some more serious consequences that would force a slowdown in the pace of life.

As we sat waiting for Mr. Mountain Sheriff to deliver his not-so-sweet justice, a small brown pickup passed us by.  Mr. Pokey drove by with a big smile on his face, secure in the knowledge that he was already at his destination.