When Pride Took the Wheel and Purpose Missed the Exit.

It started like a movie scene.

Windows down. Podcast on. Sunlight cutting through the trees like God Himself approved this morning.

My oat milk latte sat secure in the cupholder, and I was vibing,  not just driving.

But then, it happened.

Seriously. I went from “windows down, podcast on, oat milk latte in hand” to full-blown Fast & Furious: Ego Drift in under ten seconds.

This guy. In a black SUV. Unsignaled. Negligent observation. Blatant disregard. Just boom …right in front of me, like I was invisible. Like I was just an NPC in his game of life.

I gasped like someone had slapped my peace in the face.

I frowned.

You know the look. That slow, tight-lipped nod like you are filing charges in your mind.

I did that thing where you mutter, “Unbelievable,” like you are narrating a documentary on disrespect.

And in that moment, I made a decision.

“I am going to pass him. I am going to win.”

What exactly I planned to win? Unclear.

But within seconds, I was no longer headed to my destination,  Instead, I was auditioning for Fast & Furious: Petty Edition.

That’s right. With zero plan and even less maturity, I gunned it. The oat milk sloshed violently in my cupholder. My calm playlist? Silenced. The podcast lady talking about mindfulness? Paused. I was now the villain of my own audio drama.

This was not about traffic anymore. This was about honor.

I leaned into the wheel like I had something to prove, to a man I didn’t know, whose face I never saw, who probably didn’t even know I existed.

But I knew I was driving with a point to prove, and no one to prove it to.

We flew past my exit.

Another.

And then, a third.

Deep in this fictional highway showdown, I didn’t even notice when the guy casually turned off… and disappeared.

Abrupt exit.

Avoided gaze.

No “you win” wave.

Just poof. Gone.

Probably off to get snacks and live his unbothered little life.

And me?

I was in the middle of nowhere.

On the wrong highway.

Chasing someone who never even knew we were racing.

Wanna know what that feels like?

It’s like spending your whole life trying to outdance someone who is at home watching Netflix.

Or like missing your own birthday party because you were too busy checking if someone else was invited.

You might like: /the-palace-of-purpose

🚗I pulled over.

I stared at my GPS.

The little blue arrow floating in digital purgatory.

I had no idea where I was, but I did know I was far, far from where I was supposed to be.

And not just on the road.

In my spirit.

This is because this wasn’t about traffic anymore.

This was about me.

• Approximately how fast I abandon purpose when pride taps the glass.
• Exactly how I trade peace for petty like it’s a deal of the day.
• Around how many times I have ignored my calling to clap back, catch up, or compete.

Yeah, I made it back.

I recalculated.

I took the slow road home.

But it cost me.

Not in gas, but in clarity.

💡 What This Story Is Really About
Not every insult is an invitation, and not every offense deserves your energy.

And most importantly, not every driver is worth losing your way for.

❤️ Now, Ask Yourself This Week:
Who or what are you racing?

And more importantly, is it costing you your actual path?

This is because when it comes down to it, chasing ghosts is exhausting

And, as always, ego takes the most expensive toll.

🚗 Pull over, friend.

Take a deep breath.

Now, remember where you are going.

It’s time to recenter your GPS—not just on the map, but in your heart.

Let the other cars do what they do. Focus on your own journey.

You have somewhere better to be.

🎯 Your Turn:
Stay in your lane.

Because that’s where your purpose is waiting.

And trust me, there is no traffic when you are walking in alignment

✍️ Written by Hélène

If this hit home, share it. Someone else out there is halfway through a race they didn’t sign up for,  and they might need this reminder too.