Mountains + Maneuvering

 

Psych & Such        |        15 AUG 2022

I'm not a completely risk-adverse person, but I am calculated.  Now living in Utah, I have more than my fair share of opportunities to experience the rush of danger.  

Yesterday, my partner and I were driving home from Bear Lake.  The last stretch of the drive takes you up from Park City, down to Salt Lake City.  The road curves sharply and has a steep grade.  This road is no joke, STEEP.  Or, I think the road is steep.  While I was vacillating between coasting or working the brakes, other drivers around me appear to be applying the gas!  How are we approaching the windy, sloped roads in such different ways?

In life, when do brake? Coast? Accelerate?

• Braking often coincides with required/needed rest.
• Braking comes between peaks.
• Braking is applied when we (or things) could get, or are, out of control.
• Braking happens when we are uncertain and need time to process.

• Coasting often coincides with experiencing flow.
• Coasting is applied to take in and enjoy our surroundings.
• Coasting comes when we are comfortable.
• Coasting happens when we are planning for the next phase of life, or shifting between gears.

•  Accelerating often coincides with taking chances or advantage of the situation/circumstances.
• Accelerating is applied to incite change.
• Accelerating comes when we are looking to move forward or take the next step.
• Accelerating happens when we are prepared for, or willing to try, more.

Mountainous roads require drivers to approach their maneuvering with intentionality.  While people have various paths in life, we all must decide how to approach the paths that are put in front of us.  And you must decide which paths require braking.  Which require coasting.  And which paths are meant for acceleration.

Photo source:  https://www.mtnscoop.com/features/scenic-drives-in-utah