I was introduced to a car GPS system this past week.  My hubby got one, and I also traveled around the Chicago area with some out-of-town guests who used one in their car, and Wow, what a handy gadget!  A smooth voice tells you exactly what turns to make and when, and what the steps are to successfully reach your destination.   This little tool does all this while simultaneously alerting you to traffic trouble or the next gas station / rest room / eatery.   

 That smooth voice is never without a suggestion.  She does not judge your driving, nor get angry when you ignore her instructions and go your own way for a while.  My favorite part of the GPS?  “Re-calculating”.    The smooth voice does not throw up her GPS hands or shake a finger at you in exasperation when things don’t go as planned, she just… Re-Calculates.

We have fun in the car, pretending what the voice would say if she was real: “LEFT!  I said take a LEFT!”, but instead she is always calm and soothing, and simply offers the next logical suggestion to help you reach your destination. 

At all times, I let my motto of “Service to God, Family and Community, in that Order” guide my decisions.  But this Christmas season, my internal Colleen-voice will also whisper “Re-calculating….”.  Often. 

Take a breath, clean up the mess, sing the Christmas carol, welcome the friend, care for the stranger, order the gift, and get it all done.  And when things don’t go as planned, and assuredly, sometimes they won’t, I’ll try not to get distracted or frustrated.  I will just… Re-Calculate.