When people ignore laws or don’t pay attention while driving, I get irritated. It is the idealist in me. Idealism is not a bad thing when you are trying to change the world, but when you want to get your kids through the drive-thru…not so much.

I’m known to “encourage” other drivers to pay attention to the rules of the road, both written and unwritten. I particularity “encourage” people when I find them using their phone while driving. It’s the cat videos…always the cat videos.

Several years ago, when my oldest son was 3 years old, I was waiting patiently at a red light.  Yes.  I was actually waiting patiently.  The light turned green.  The person didn’t move forward.  I waited…patiently.

From the middle of the back seat, I heard, “Come on dude!  Move it!”  I looked back and saw my son smiling brightly at me…Proud that he was being like his dad.  At this point, imagine me palm-slapping my head in between typing these words.  At least he didn’t cuss.

***Special note for parents…You are your child’s greatest model of behavior.

How can we work through those emotions of frustration and disgust while driving?  Last blog entry we looked at breathing.  This blog…smiling.  Yes.  Smiling.

Smiling is another way we can provide our brain with the endorphins needed to overcome our anger and frustration while driving, in the checkout line, or any time you feel your blood pressure rising.

Try it now.  Smile.  Now focus on it.  Are your teeth clinched?  Are your muscles relaxed?  Does it look and feel natural?

Use this when you are driving.  You will not only provide your brain the jolt of positivity it needs, but you will focus your attention on your smile, as opposed to the person in front of you who won’t stop watching cat videos instead of driving through the green light.  But I digress.

Yes.  You might look crazy to other drivers, but you may also make them smile, too.  That’s a good thing.

Next entry–Laughter.