On my recent return trip from Athens, Ohio, on the greyhound, I had the opportunity to eavesdrop on a very long conversation between a career truck driver and a soon-to-be truck driver. It was really fascinating to hear all of the advice that the senior truck-driver had to offer. Advice ranging from what kind of truck to get, how to pay for it, how many miles it should have on it, how to merge lanes, how to find out about truck restrictions on the highways, to what to order at the truck stops. Apparently, hot dogs are ok, but stay far away from the breakfast burritos.
But the most powerful thing that I heard this man share was how you get to choose the life that you want. He chooses to have one good meal a day and to exercise. He gave the details of how and where he fits the exercise in. He says you don't have to get fat just because you sit on your butt all day. He gets to decide what kind of life he has, not anyone else.
I'm really paraphrasing here, but he also chooses to be happy. You don't have to be all negative and complaining like a lot of truck drivers out there. He avoids talking about religion, politics and his personal finances. His advice was endless for this young man who wanted to be a truck driver. It was all given very patiently, without ego, and with endless generosity.
Clearly, this truck driver lives in an abundant world where there is plenty for everyone. And his knowledge wasn't something to be saved up, but rather, shared with anyone wanting to listen.
I went to the SAQA conference with two intentions. One was to discover what my next step is professionally, and the other was to find a new role model. Who knew that I would find him on the bus.
