My parents were raised in the same medium sized Midwestern city, but moved away to follow my dad’s job early in their marriage.  This meant that from a small age, I was used to getting in the car for a drive to see extended family.  Being in the car meant dad driving, always.  Mom variously would start games with us, get us to sing rounds, read or sleep.  There came to be a rhythm of family interaction and personal introspection that I found pleasant.

Ever since being on my own, I have sought out a road trip or two each year because of this thought rhythm.  New sights outside the car window can be triggers for new thoughts and ideas.  (And blog posts.)

“Your assumptions are your windows on the world.  Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won’t come in.”

~ Isaac Asimov

Just like the country in general, my life has been churning a lot of change in the past year or so and a road trip was just what I needed to think, adjust and let the light in.  I am back from a very quick trip to an area that I called home for several years.  It is a small town, county seat, in a rural setting.  It gave me a chance to think while on the road, and to get a bit of green therapy in places that we used to go hiking.

Even if your life has been same old same old, it is helpful to figure out a way to scrub off your assumptions and there is nothing like a change of scenery to do it.

I have this conversation with myself during almost every road trip – this is the time that I will make a point to not be so stuck on getting to my destination, but stop at some of the local places that post signs along the road.  I know that it is important to expand my perception once in a while.  On the way home I did just this, and reminded myself that it was fun as I was grumbling about pulling into my garage so late at the end of the trip.

How do you give yourself a mental reset once in awhile?

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Tagged: Assumptions, Energy, Life, Perspective, Philosophy, Purpose, Reflection, Thinking, Working