A few years ago I was invited to speak at my first international engagement, Colima University in Colima, Mexico. My topic assigned to Jose can you see, Mexican tour busme was “Valuing Life.” My audience was lawyers, politicians and pre-med students plus one news reporter who wrote my presentation nearly word for word.  Before the five-day trip ended, I spoke a total of nine times in different settings, which included: a political women’s event, orphanages, churches, Nissan Corporation and a gathering of local businesswomen.

When we flew into Mexico, we landed in Guadalajara. I was excited to finally find a city where even a blind person could get a driver’s license! Drivers were crazy and no one seemed to see well in that crowded city of fast moving traffic. However, I was determined to leave the driving to the natives of that region and sit back and enjoy the scenery. Our driver was hired to pick us up and drive us about 100 miles from the airport to our destination. Jose was our shuttle driver. I was traveling with my husband and our two youngest children, plus my interpreter and her husband.

The drive was anything but boring. Jose seemed confident behind the wheel as he mistakenly took our bus ride to be a racecar competition. With great speeds and many unnerving bumps, Jose whipped around winding paths, far too close to the side of the mountain roads that were positioned along cliffs. The tension of everyone was mounting… except for me. I was enjoying the ride as I anticipated my upcoming speaking assignment. Finally, some of our party spoke with disapproval and some with fear as they reacted to our constant near-death experiences. Impulsively, I yelled out, “Jose! Can you see?”

I tried to comfort my traveling party by suggesting they just close their eyes and enjoy the ride to Colima.  I was enjoying the journey until their fear concerned me.

Life is the same way, isn’t it? You are sailing through your day until others concern you with their fears. People who live only by what they see are usually disturbed. It is frightening unless you have vision. Vision sees even when the wars are raging and our independence seems threatened. I cannot help but think of our Mexican chauffeur when I stand to sing the “Star Spangled Banner.” The first line is familiar—“Jose can you see?”

Through perilous times and possible brushes with death, vision will carry you through as you enjoy the journey called life. Close your eyes, if you must, and for sure… hang on. The bumps will soon be smoothed out and your destination accomplished.

What bumpy roads and winding paths are you traveling down today?

When you choose to look past the horizon… the sky is the limit!