If You’re In the
Driver’s Seat,
Why Are You Lost?
Copyright © 2014 by Lawana Gladney
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
BenBella Books, Inc.
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Dallas, TX 75231
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First e-book edition: January 2014
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Gladney, Lawana, 1963-
If you’re in the driver’s seat, why are you lost? : a roadmap to an amazing life / by Dr. Lawana Gladney.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-939529-08-4 (trade paper : alk. paper)—ISBN 978-1-939529-09-1
(electronic : alk. paper) 1. Self-confidence. 2. Adjustment (Psychology).
3. Adaptability (Psychology). I. Title.
BF575.S39G53 2014
158.1—dc23
2013029547
| Editing by Debbie Harmsen and Vy TranCopyediting by Alexis KellyProofreading by Greg Teague and Christine KochCover design by Bradford Foltz | Text design by John Reinhardt Book DesignComposition by Integra Software Services Pvt. Ltd.Printed by Bang Printing |
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To my loving mother, Shirley:
You have given me my emotional and
spiritual grounding, and
loved me through every part of my life’s journey.
To my wonderful children, Jordan, Bria, Jazzy, and Lexi:
I love you with every fiber of my being and feel honored
and blessed to carry the most prestigious title this world
has to offer: your mother.
To my angels, Charles and Chelsie:
You are forever in my heart.
Contents
Coping with a Broken GPS, No Maps, and No Directions
Defining Your Destiny
3The Main Road Block to Overcome
Defeating Your Insecurities
Facing—and Overcoming—Your Fears
5The Detour: You Thought It Made You Late
Dealing with Your Thoughts and Beliefs
6Traffic Jams: Your Words Can Cause Fender-Benders, Gridlock, or Worse
Controlling Your Tongue
Managing Your Emotions
Identifying and Veering Away from People Who Are Toxic
Solidifying Your Relationships
Treating Yourself Right—the Mind/Body Connection
Taming Your Finances
12The Bridges, Tunnels, and Mountain Passes of Life
Finding Joy and Peace Through Spirituality
13Stop Signs, Red Lights, and Blinking Yellows
Slowing Down to Enjoy the Moment
Introduction: The Journey
IT MAY HAVE BEEN early morning, midday, or late evening when you came into this world, and you may have entered kicking and screaming, or you may have needed a vigorous rub to kick-start that welcoming cry. But however it happened, from that very moment, you started on your journey. The journey called your life.
Your journey started out pretty fast. Within the first few years you learned to crawl, walk, and talk; your learned your ABCs and 1, 2, 3s; and you successfully adapted to change, transitioning from mommy’s milk to solid food and from Pampers to Pull-Ups. “Growing up” was pretty normal and you probably even were applauded with each new progression you made.
As you continued to grow and develop, you began to experience life’s ups and downs. If