I am currently working away from home for a week in a small town in central Victoria called Hamilton, which is a 300 km drive away from my home.

Assured by several people that the drive here would be pretty  straightforward I headed off with my car heaving (piled high with creature comforts).  It was a beautiful, sunny, crisp, late winters morning when I left. I was relaxed and happy. I was being paid to travel and stay and work in a new place, how lucky was I?

I had been given clear directions on the route to take and at first I was feeling confident.After awhile there was a slight edge of uncertainty rising within me as I was traveling  a long way alone, to a place I have never been to on a road I have never been on.

Then as I got to the half way mark I decided to admit to myself that I was getting a little more anxious. Even though I KNEW where I was going, it wouldn’t hurt to put the sat nav on. And then I could relax again.

Another 25kms later there was still no road sign to Hamilton.  Surely the sat nav knew the way?  It must. So I decided to enjoy the scenery as I drove (there weren’t many cars on this road so it didn’t seem to be too risky doing this). The scenery was beautiful  – lush green hills,  rich blue sky and lambs in the fields.  How lucky was I?

Another 25kms and still no sign…perhaps the sat nav was taking me the scenic route..beautiful cumulus clouds and a mountain range peeking between rolling green hills. I was traveling deeper and deeper into unknown territory.  Worried thoughts kept creeping into my mind but I would obliterate them with a whiff of fresh country air and good look at the shape of that cloud ahead.

As it turned out the sat nav did in fact take me on a scenic route and I did an extra 60 km beyond the estimated distance.  Although I was actually lost, I managed not to get too frightened or worried by keeping myself grounded in the moment and allowing all my senses to enjoy the experience I was having as I was driving.

I am very grateful to my mindfulness practice for giving me the tools to help myself stay calm in times that previously would’ve had me very worried.