Spiritual driving, yeah we’re gonna get deep with this one.When it comes to driving your vehicle, there are two forces at work, the good and the evil.

The evil is my “addictions” and I’m not talking about drugs, (I’ve been clean since Oct 8, 2002)  I am talking about my other addictions that plague me like a succubus who hate f*(%’s me even during the day that turns my daydreams into nightmares.This is the road rage “evil” Danny, who will always mess things up in his life and then… there is the spiritual “good” Danny who loves everyone and everything.The good guy who is closer to God when he is out on the road doing stand-up comedy, the Earth, Wind and Fire God who is the creator of everything.This is the Danny I want to prevail.The Danny who sees the humanity in every driver, who has compassion for every living thing, even tailgaters.

The key is to raise the good side and eliminate the evil side just sort of a “road rage driver” exorcism.Even by just reducing the evil side, you can have a safer driving experience to your therapist or your 12 step meetings.Defensive driving and driver safety skills will help you obtain this goal.

These defensive driving skills should consist of:

1. Using your blinker when turning or changing lanes.

2. Always have an “out” when driving by checking your mirrors and keeping a safe distance from the cars around you.

3. Stay out of the left lane, except when passing and never tailgate another driver.

The other solution, change your life if you have chronic road rage.Relax, get plenty of rest, get up and do something that intrigues you and that you have a passion for.Manage your time better and meditate, find some alone time for yourself every day.Remember, Gandhi never got road rage, come to think of it, I don’t think he had a car either.

If you keep doing the same thing, expect to get the same results. Changing your life will help in you achieving the characteristics of a good defensive driver at the very least.In Narcotics Anonymous, I learned that “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.”And in the Tarrant County Jail, I learned patience but that’s another story.

And changing your life is easy, the hard part is getting past the evil side manifesting fear inside of you that keeps you from being free.One of my favorite movie quotes is from Vanilla Sky, when Penelope Cruz’s character says to Tom Cruise; “… Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around.”

Join me again next week and until then….

Take care and be safe-

Danny Keaton