Road trips can be filled with fun, adventure, laughter, and people that we care about. Sometimes the road is winding, the traffic is bad, or the rest stop is dirty. The great news is that there are no seats on the road trip of life that are bad! Right now the road we are on may feel like a bumpy dirt path up Mt. Everest but we have to think about what kind of ride we want to have. Will we be a passenger who is along for the ride, enjoying the scenery and the snacks? Is it better for us if we are riding shotgun so we are playing the music to keep everyone entertained and wrestling the GPS on the way to each destination? Or will we be drivers, taking charge and leading the way for those who want to fill the other seats? Passengers bring strength to the journey and support for those around them. Navigators guide, support, and bring a sense of security. Drivers offer leadership, decision making, and they give a voice to all the others who may go unheard. No choice is a wrong choice, everyone has a seat to fill. Which seat is yours and how great an impact on the trip and travelers will you have?

Sarah Deats
Sarah Deats is a Behavioral Health Technician at RI International and the Hope Inc. Stories Inspiration Engineer.