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Old dog, new tricks

You know, I should probably be in bed right now... but I'm not.

Recently, I learned a new route to work. Whereas my previous route was more of a straight shot, this way is a lot more stop-and-go. It's also through a neighborhood which means I can't drive as fast. So why am I taking this new route?

For one thing, it's just as fast -- if not faster. I had come home this route a couple times before, once I knew it existed. One morning, I decided to try going to work this way. My only question was that the last street I found myself on exited in the direction I wasn't going. I found a side street that got me where I needed to be.

For another thing, it's more scenic. I pass through a wooded neighborhood with kids walking to school and ducks that cross the road. I then pass a lake and a large grass-covered mountain. Really cool in the morning with the fog over the lake and the dew on the grass.

Finally, it's less stressful. The serene surroundings seem to subside by stress. It's almost relaxing driving to work this way. Very little traffic, as well. No bumper-to-bumper like the other way. I was tearing my hair out in the morning trying to make it to work on time. All I had in front of me were red tail lights and people cutting each other off.

Admittedly, I sometimes get someone driving slow in front of me but it doesn't seem to bother me as much. At least they didn't cut me off to get there. At least they aren't jamming on their brakes every 5 seconds. If I wait just a minute longer the road separates into 2 lanes and I pass this jerkaholic.

I figured once I got to this point in my life I'd be so set in my ways that I wouldn't change no matter what. I'm proud of myself for making this small change in my life that has affected me in the positive. It almost makes me want to find other processes in my life that need fixing -- and fix them.

I know that reading this must sound silly: I've found a new way to get to work -- big deal. But if you take a step back you see that this dog (no matter how old I am) has embraced something new. If you extrapolate that out, it means I can accept other new things in my life.

This is what I need. Is this a tipping point?

15 percent, right?

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