Are you stuck on Autopilot? 🎧
Here are the steps I took to break free from autopilot and drive into controlling my life. It all started with 2 hands on the steering wheel. Scroll down for the audio
Join us this week as we delve into the concept of autopilot—what it means, how it traps us, and the five actionable tips that pave the way out of this automatic mode. Discover how breaking free from autopilot isn't just about escaping a cycle; it's about reclaiming our consciousness and becoming more aware.
Uncover the secrets to breaking the autopilot cycle and regaining control over your life. Let's embark on this journey together to reawaken our consciousness and live more mindfully. Ready to steer your life consciously?
This week’s travel took me moments away from our downtown Charlotte hotel. I ventured into the rich history of Rosedale house and gardens. While most visitors flock here during the lush summer months to witness the gardens in full bloom, I found myself intrigued by the naked rawness of nature, relishing an hour in its serene embrace before my guided tour commenced.
This 1815 Federal-style house, spanning over 4,000 square feet, once graced 900 acres of timber and farmland. Across its existence, Rosedale was home to just three families—the original builder, Charlotte postmaster and tax collector Archibald Frew,, followed by brother-in-law, North Carolina state senator William Davidson; and 1833, the senator passed the property to the husband of his daughter Harriet and Dr. David Caldwell, spanning over 150 years, the Frew/Caldwell/Davidson lineage retained ownership, with both enslaved and freed slaves tending to the private plantation. Though slavery is scarcely addressed on the organization's website, my passionate tour guide, a dedicated historian on slavery, shed light on Charlotte's intentional concealment of this history. It's noteworthy that historical tours on slavery are conspicuously absent in Charlotte, which lead me to Rosedale . Colleagues have diligently curated insights into the impact of slavery on the family dynamics and farming practices, notably showcasing the roles and individuals involved, although there are no harrowing tales as this was a private plantation catering solely to the family's needs. Remarkably, the Caldwells provided education and care for their enslaved, an uncommon practice for that era. In fact, once freed, most returned to work for the Caldwells or went on to be successful business owners.
The one-hour tour, encompassing both historical anecdotes and the garden's evolution, is truly captivating. For anyone finding themselves in Charlotte, NC, Rosedale house and gardens indeed warrants exploration for a deeper understanding of the region's nuanced history.
Rosedale House and Garden
3427 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28206
https://www.historicrosedale.org/
Are you stuck on autopilot?
I used to work for the biggest telecommunications corporation in Canada, and I loved my job. But amidst learning all the ins and outs, fear-mongering corporate egomaniacs blocked any chance of advancement. Worn down, I soon found myself enviably drifting to autopilot.
Feeling bored and in need of something to occupy my 8-hour workday, I grabbed the instruction manual for the database I used. I learned to set up systems and hotkeys, transforming me into a workplace rock star. I hit those keys upon arrival, acing tasks without anyone ever the wiser to my shortcuts. Imagine that, all this before the era of actual AI interfaces! I wasn't a genius; I was just simply bored!
According to the online Merriam-Webster dictionary, autopilot is defined as
"a state or condition in which activity or behavior is regulated automatically in a predetermined or instinctive manner."
Soon, autopilot oozed into every aspect of my life. I automated meals—prepped everything the night before, loaded the crockpot, steamer, and any other device I could get my hands on. I felt like a character out of "Back to the Future, Part II." Automated coffee pot? Check. Set to brew an hour before I had to drag myself out of bed, lured by the aroma to face another torturous day. Check
The only part not on autopilot was driving my daughter to skating and school. Well, the driving part was, but those were the moments I truly felt present—listening to the daily chatter of a 10-year-old, full of inspirations and ambitions. Those days I still cherish.
My drive to work was undoubtedly on autopilot. I never remembered how I got there or anything along the way—except once. A prankster decided to turn the fountain outside the Flatiron Building near Church and Wellington into a bubble bath. The entire intersection and beyond resembled a scene from the 1958 movie "The Blob," thick and swirling. I still chuckle to this day. I have driven through, rain, fog, sleet, snow, dust storms, and a soap-sudsy wonderland! I was late for work, and it was worth it.I couldn't stop laughing.
When life feels monotonous, every day blending into the next, nothing new, nothing exciting; get up, go to work, come home, get ready for bed, get up, go to work… that's autopilot. Almost makes me think our vehicles should be autopiloted to make roads safer from too many autopiloted drivers navigating the roads causing accidents.
This is where we need to reassess our lives—career, lifestyle, relationships—and set new goals and become more mindful. Have you found it easy to do all this? Or do you start but slowly succumb to the sirens of autopilot yet, again?
So, how can we shift out of autopilot? One tiny step at a time. Let's start where we do the most autopiloting—in our vehicles and break free not only there but in every aspect of our lives. I have some pointers to help you break free.