Find Zen in Driving
By: Tony Giannini
Grade A Driving Academy
Let’s admit it. People are in a hurry anymore. You see it every time you get behind the wheel especially. Have you ever experienced road rage? Or witnessed it? Why do we as a society get so short fused when we don’t agree on another drivers……well, method of operating his or her automobile? In this article I will discuss my philosophy on driving and how to get the “zen” out of it.
Last week on my way to work, the car in front of me blocked an exit from a shopping plaza. I’m sure you’ve been there. It’s not deliberate I’m sure, but nonetheless you still don’t look over at the other driver out of embarrassment. Then there it is, hand flying up, god knows what’s coming out of her mouth, inching out almost to say I’ll push my way in. Really, I know it sucks to get blocked in, but take a breath. It’s not worth your life units getting upset over things you have no control of. We all do it though. You know what used to really get me upset? It’s silly but I bet a lot of people feel that this way. Ok, so your the nice guy who let’s the person into the lane when everyone else keeping going by. So you stop, wave em on, they pull out then nothing. Come on, not even a courtesy wave. Used to really piss me off! Am I right? Or the car that rides your tail. The you slam on the breaks to basically tell them to get the &@$” off my a@&! Then of course they come flying by with that international symbol we all know so well. You know, the bird. Its probably someone who couldn’t fight their way out of a wet sack but thinks there a mixed martial arts fighter when they are behind the wheel. You all have stories or experiences with this type of nonsense. I mean, people are getting killed over road rage. What’s wrong with us?
I’ve been studying martial arts for almost 25 years now and maybe it’s why I take a different approach when it comes to operating a motor vehicle. I try to take a “zen” approach. Hasn’t always been that way. I mean, trust me, I’ve had my moments. I’m always trying to improve. Lately, I have been in the zen zone! For those of you that don’t know what “zen” is, let me enlighten you. When your hungry, eat. When your tired, sleep. When you have to go to the bathroom , well you know. Living in the moment in everything you do. When driving a vehicle, drive the vehicle. Get rid of the distractions, focus on everything around you and at the same time have a clear mind. Turn off the phone. Use coming sense. Don’t think that things won’t happen to you. They can, and will when you least expect it. Give yourself every opportunity you have to react, see, hear , feel , respond to Any situation that presents itself. Practice relaxing your body when behind the wheel instead of being tense and stressed due to different traffic conditions. Take your time. Enjoy the ride. Enjoy sitting in traffic. Find the good in everything around you. Your behind the wheel and it can help you to experience so many things and places in life. Live in that moment behind the wheel, no distractions, only what’s happening right now. Smile and know your safety comes first and know you’ll do anything to preserve that.
Now a days I get a lot of pleasure out of taking my time when driving, not rushing, being a courteous driver and appreciating the fact that the road can take me wherever I want to go. That should be respected. Respect the road respect yourself.
Tony Giannini
Grade A Driving Academy
Sunday, April 17, 2011
10 Tips on Keeping your Teenager Safe on the Road
10 Tips for Safe Teen Drivers "Keeping your Teenager Safe on the Road"
by: Tony Giannini
Grade A Driving Academy
As a parent, that need to keep our childeren safe are built into us. But do we always lead by example? Lets take a look at how we can prepare our kids to take that important step in their lives, getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Here are 10 ways we can help to make our roads a safer place for us all.
1. Be a good role model! Since babies, kids have mimicked what they see. Since you as the parent are what they see most of the time, it is important to do the right things ourselves and hope that our kids will also do the same. If you text or talk on the phone yourself, rest assured that your kids will most likely do the same.
2. Find a really good driving program. Let the pros do it. It's tough to work with family, teach those that are closest to us. It's a shame that's its that way, but so true. Find a good driving school with experienced and patient instructors to do the job for you. Your teenager will most likely listen to them before they would listen to you.
3. Sit down and come up with rules you as the parent expect from your teen driver. We always say "we make the rules" don't we? Well, it's true. Stick with it. Sit down, go over what you expect from them and what you will not tollerate. It's far to easy for a new teen driver to get distracted and feel that sense of freedom that comes with driving. Sometimes it can lead to some pretty severe outcomes if we don't get more involved with our kids when it comes to rules of the road and what the we expect.
4. Cell phones are a huge problem with drivers in this day and age. The ease that comes with it often times makes it tempting to just participate in it while we are behind the wheel. Make this a strong issue with your teens. It may just save their lives.
5. Looking back at how I was when I was a teen and still seeing all that goes on in a teens life today, sleep becomes an issue when getting behind the wheel of a car is involved. Make sure that your teenager is getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep is often compared to drinking and driving when you look at the effects it has on how one drives a vehicle.
6. Make sure you teenager has a decent car to drive. I know times are tough, and we can't all go out and buy new cars. But buying a piece of junk just because we need a car can sometimes put us into a bad position. Get AAA and make sure your teen knows how to use the service. Also, teach them to change a tire!
7. Get a navigation system. Today, it's almost impossible to get lost. With the use of Garmin, you can program a location your not sure of, and get their with ease and comfort. Make sure when traveling, have a route planned out, and know where you are going.
8. Don't be afraid to show your kids some videos that will shock them, and maybe even rattle them a bit. Some of these videos on what can happen while texting and driving can really hit home and offer a much different outlook on what could happen if they participate in this type of behavior.
9. You don't want to be using your cell phone while driving, but you do want to have one with you. Make sure to put an extra car charger in the glove box for them. They will most likely not think of it. You never know when your going to have an emergency, and a charged phone is a must.
10. Tell your kids how much you truly love and care for them. Let them know your worries and fears, be sincere and honest. They don't yet understand whats it's like to be on the road, and all of the dangerous positions they could find themselves in. Thank you and I hope this helps in some small way.
Tony Giannini
Grade A Driving Academy
by: Tony Giannini
Grade A Driving Academy
As a parent, that need to keep our childeren safe are built into us. But do we always lead by example? Lets take a look at how we can prepare our kids to take that important step in their lives, getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Here are 10 ways we can help to make our roads a safer place for us all.
1. Be a good role model! Since babies, kids have mimicked what they see. Since you as the parent are what they see most of the time, it is important to do the right things ourselves and hope that our kids will also do the same. If you text or talk on the phone yourself, rest assured that your kids will most likely do the same.
2. Find a really good driving program. Let the pros do it. It's tough to work with family, teach those that are closest to us. It's a shame that's its that way, but so true. Find a good driving school with experienced and patient instructors to do the job for you. Your teenager will most likely listen to them before they would listen to you.
3. Sit down and come up with rules you as the parent expect from your teen driver. We always say "we make the rules" don't we? Well, it's true. Stick with it. Sit down, go over what you expect from them and what you will not tollerate. It's far to easy for a new teen driver to get distracted and feel that sense of freedom that comes with driving. Sometimes it can lead to some pretty severe outcomes if we don't get more involved with our kids when it comes to rules of the road and what the we expect.
4. Cell phones are a huge problem with drivers in this day and age. The ease that comes with it often times makes it tempting to just participate in it while we are behind the wheel. Make this a strong issue with your teens. It may just save their lives.
5. Looking back at how I was when I was a teen and still seeing all that goes on in a teens life today, sleep becomes an issue when getting behind the wheel of a car is involved. Make sure that your teenager is getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep is often compared to drinking and driving when you look at the effects it has on how one drives a vehicle.
6. Make sure you teenager has a decent car to drive. I know times are tough, and we can't all go out and buy new cars. But buying a piece of junk just because we need a car can sometimes put us into a bad position. Get AAA and make sure your teen knows how to use the service. Also, teach them to change a tire!
7. Get a navigation system. Today, it's almost impossible to get lost. With the use of Garmin, you can program a location your not sure of, and get their with ease and comfort. Make sure when traveling, have a route planned out, and know where you are going.
8. Don't be afraid to show your kids some videos that will shock them, and maybe even rattle them a bit. Some of these videos on what can happen while texting and driving can really hit home and offer a much different outlook on what could happen if they participate in this type of behavior.
9. You don't want to be using your cell phone while driving, but you do want to have one with you. Make sure to put an extra car charger in the glove box for them. They will most likely not think of it. You never know when your going to have an emergency, and a charged phone is a must.
10. Tell your kids how much you truly love and care for them. Let them know your worries and fears, be sincere and honest. They don't yet understand whats it's like to be on the road, and all of the dangerous positions they could find themselves in. Thank you and I hope this helps in some small way.
Tony Giannini
Grade A Driving Academy
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