In the finale of The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy tenaciously clicks her heels to magically appear at her desired destination of Kansas. One could only hope for that tantamount experience in the real world. I think we would all be thrilled if we could close our eyes, click our heels, and arrive at our destination. “Be there in 10 seconds!”

But unfortunately, driving is a major part of many people’s lives. It’s a “necessary evil” for us to get places. So let’s discuss one thing you can control in a driving commute: your reaction.

Be Optimistic

Be aware of your thoughts, because they have a profound effect on everything you do. A negative thought pattern will carry a lot of emotion, and will make the drive more stressful. Instead of feeling hostile towards the drive or other people, try to be optimistic and think of what’s good about the music, the air, and your breath. This also helps the drive go by faster.

Notice the Details

You’ve never actually seen this road in this exact moment. You’ve never been in your car in this exact moment. You’ve never heard this song through the filter of your entire life experiences, at this exact moment. When you have a curiosity of the present moment, you are mindful. A lot more details will appear to you.

It will be surprising how different and new the drive can seem!