As I write this article, we haven’t yet experienced Christmas. We hear so much about the holiday blues during the traditional holiday season of Thanksgiving to Christmas that we sometimes forget that Valentine’s Day can be a lonely time as well. If you are a driver and your spouse is at home, how can you celebrate your love? Phone calls and sending flowers are a simple way of reminding her of your love until you can be together.
If you don’t have a spouse or anyone special in your life, how do you manage all the gooey feelings that are associated with February 14?
Know that you are not alone; there are millions of other people who are not in a relationship.
Honor and love yourself. If you don’t love yourself, how can you expect someone else to love you? Treat yourself to a nice dinner, or a special gift you want.
If you are depressed, don’t make yourself feel worse by focusing on all the romantic movies and love songs that are around at this time of year. Find something unromantic to do that you enjoy.
Remember that those people you see out having a romantic evening may only get that treatment because it’s a holiday. You don’t know what the rest of their life is like.
Find a friend or other person who may be alone and engage in a fun activity. Brightening someone else’s day can help lift your spirits.
You can celebrate the holiday by letting your loved ones and friends know how much you care about them.
Valentine’s Day was reportedly established by Pope Gelasius to honor Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine. So maybe, being single isn’t so bad after all. However, if your blues still concern you click here to contact our resource partner, The Lighthouse Network for a free consultation.
For more help, see your doctor or therapist. Check out our Resources Partners when you click this link or click here to contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or care. Further, it is not intended to be a substitute for physician’s advice. Always see the advice of a licensed physician concerning any question you have regarding any content obtained from this blog and any medical condition you believe may be relevant to you or someone else. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care provider before embarking on a new treatment, diet, or fitness program.
In this month when so many of us make resolutions, the Drivers Wellness team felt Ellen’s article would be a good word of encouragement for all of us, truckers and non-truckers alike. As we look at news reports of violence and aggression during the Black Friday Sales, and the stresses of the holidays, we should all try to practice what the author advises during the new year of 2012. Being nice not only makes the other person feel good, it makes you feel good, too!
Ellen Voie is President & CEO of Women In Trucking and a member of TFC’s Board of Directors. Her article is reprinted with permission from Women In Trucking.
As we enter the holiday season we are reminded of the importance of family, friends and colleagues. With a very challenging year behind us, maybe it's time to make a greater effort to "just be nice."
A famous (anonymous) quote reminds us, "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice." What would it take to treat everyone you meet with a little extra compassion this month; to wake up on the right side of the bed and greet every day with a smile?
As a professional driver, you meet people every day who are complete strangers to you. At the truck stop, the scale, when you deliver to a customer, even in your own terminal if it's a larger company. When you're out on the road, you might not have the benefit of working with the same folks each day, so you have to define your relationship each time you meet someone new.
If you approach the fuel desk associate with a scowl on your face because you just had a disagreement with your dispatcher, expect the encounter to be unpleasant. No one wants to deal with a person who's obviously in a foul mood. You're not making the other person feel very important and you'll probably receive the same indifference in return. This sets the tone for negative interactions the remainder of your day.
What if we all decided to "just be nice", to treat others with decency and respect and throw in a smile once in a while? It's called "relationship marketing" and it will help you develop a stronger bond with those you meet in the course of doing your job.
If you don't expect any benefit other than showing the other person courteousness, you'll be further ahead. Don't assume that your pleasant attitude should result in better treatment or special favors. That's not the reason to be nice.
When you encounter a surly person, don't take it personally, and don't return the gloom. As Plato reminds us, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." The waitress at the truck stop might have a sick child at home. Your dispatcher could be having a rough day as well, so don't assume it's your fault they're short with you. Give each of them the benefit of the doubt and "just be nice".
There are many benefits to being nice, but according to Jeff Nichols, who calls himself "just a regular guy" in his blog, "My Super-Charged Life," being nice to others can be good for you! Pleasant people are a pleasure to be around, so you'll be more popular if you are nice.
Being nice also helps you feel better about yourself, which leads to increased self-confidence. It also helps reduce stress and guilt, and encourages you to feel more thankful, regardless of your own situation. Being nice and focusing on others can even distract you from your own troubles.
Nichols claims that people who are nice help foster a greater sense of community and family. Who knows, being nice and helping others might even help you find talents or abilities you didn't know you had. When you make the world a better place, you add meaning and significance to your life. After all, we all like to feel we've made a positive difference to others.
One other benefit to being nice is that people are more inclined to help you when you're facing your own challenges. By helping them overcome their trials, they will be more inclined to help you succeed as well. It's human nature.
Think about ways you can change the environment around you by just being a little nicer. Try it and see if it helps you become a better person as well. Just be nice, or there may be consequences.
For more help, see your doctor or therapist.Check out our Resources Partners when you click this link or click here to contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Disclaimer
The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or care. Further, it is not intended to be a substitute for physician’s advice. Always see the advice of a licensed physician concerning any question you have regarding any content obtained from this blog and any medical condition you believe may be relevant to you or someone else. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care provider before embarking on a new treatment, diet, or fitness program.
OK, let’s face the facts—diet is a four-letter word that begins with DIE. However, with the physical requirements imposed by the DOT, drivers are facing the need to lose weight and get healthier if they want to keep their jobs. According to DOT requirements, medical fitness is required for duty—this includes weight management as well as management of associated problems such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, sleep apnea, and a host of other weight-related medical conditions. Losing weight for work-related reasons is important, but it is also important for improving your overall lifestyle. And it helps if you focus on “health” rather than “diet.”
This month, Drivers Wellness features an array of short articles that can help you regain your figure, your heart health and your relationship health too. We hope these special features will give you some tips that make the journey less painful. And, since January is the time of year when people want to start a new, healthier lifestyle, let’s get started together. (Please remember to consult with your health care professional before beginning a weight loss or exercise plan.)
Click on the individual titles below to read each article:
For more help, see your doctor or therapist.Check out our Resources Partners when you click this link or click here to contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Disclaimer
The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or care. Further, it is not intended to be a substitute for physician’s advice. Always see the advice of a licensed physician concerning any question you have regarding any content obtained from this blog and any medical condition you believe may be relevant to you or someone else. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care provider before embarking on a new treatment, diet, or fitness program.
Are you looking forward to the holidays or dreading another family dinner filled with stress? If it’s the second, you are not alone. Many people dread the holidays due to the stress of interacting with family and all the accompanying drama, hurt feelings, and anger that can result when families get together.
Having people with different personalities and backgrounds in the same room is often frustrating. People tend to hold on to grudges and resentments for years, a situation in which not everyone is going to have a wonderful holiday. However, you don’t have to succumb to the stress and conflicts around you. Here are a few tips to help make this holiday more enjoyable:
• Prior to the event, make a mental list of who is going to be present. Then determine what topics may be off limits or how you will respond to other people. Being prepared helps defuse tense situations. Try to have a sense of humor and remember what you love about each person.
• Remember there will always be leftovers! Don’t treat the meal as an all-you-can-eat buffet that you must consume in one sitting.
• Greet everyone with a hug and a “nice to see you.” Start the day on a good note and keep your comments positive and in the moment.
• Everyone’s favorite subject is themselves, so take time to ask them questions about their favorite subject. Put the focus on the other individual and you will come across as a wonderful person.
• Spend time with the children. Ask about their hobbies and interests and spend some time playing with them.
• Rick Warren said, “You can only win friends to Christ. You can’t reach your enemies.” Make friends with your family; you might just find out that you really like them.
• Focus on the value of the other people around you. You may not approve of their lifestyle and decisions, but you can always value them personally.
• If seeing family causes you too much stress, you can always say no. Spend time with your spouse and kids or with good friends.
And always remember: if the stress of the holidays is too much to bear, log on to www.DriversWellness.com and click on the link to Lighthouse Network. Trained counselors are available to help you manage the stress.
For more help, see your doctor or check out our Resources Partners when you click this link or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or care. Further, it is not intended to be a substitute for physician’s advice. Always see the advice of a licensed physician concerning any question you have regarding any content obtained from this blog and any medical condition you believe may be relevant to you or someone else. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care provider before embarking on a new treatment, diet, or fitness program.
Sometimes as drivers, we think we have seen it all. There are some pretty strange and peculiar people that out here on the road. Have you ever stopped to think about what those people are going through? We don’t always know what the situation is. Let me encourage you to stop passing judgment without knowing what someone is going through. Maybe we could help, and maybe they are really struggling. Don’t judge, offer a helping hand today. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
We all know that a yellow traffic light means to yield or slow down, right? But what do most of us do when we see a one? Most of us speed up (maybe that's just me). Another meaning for yield is to submit. In other words, we proceed with caution instead of speeding up and running through life with no thought. Instead of only thinking of ourselves first, we need to slow down and learn to think of others throughout our day. Submit to one another today. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
When you hear the word spur, what do you think of? My first thought is of what a cowboy attaches to the heel of his boots. They're used to get a horse to go forward or run faster. I never could figure out how that really worked. I mean, if you poke me with a little short piece of steel, I might retaliate. Spur can also mean to encourage someone along when things aren't going real well. Life on the road is tough. If you can help someone that's down, it will make our highways that much better. Spur one another on today and if you need someone to spur you on, please don't hesitate to give us a call. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
The word serve has several different meanings in the Webster’s dictionary such as to do, function, help, supply, and carry out with a purpose. My thoughts immediately go to our highway police. Their motto is “to protect and to serve.” Now even though some might argue this point, it still remains their goal. What if "to serve" was everyone’s motto? What would the world look like if we put someone else's needs and concerns before our own? I think it would be a much better place. Who are you serving? Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
I served for several years in the military. Even today, whenever our armed forces are honored for their service, I still get choked up. It's appropriate to honor them. These young soldiers are fighting for our freedom while they are far away from their loved one. I suggest that honor shouldn't stop with our military. We can honor one another. What a feeling that would be to be honor others for what they do, whether it's driving a truck for endless hours, loading them or dispatching them or staying at home while the trucks keep rolling. Honor someone today. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Have you ever wondered how you're doing, really? What I mean by that is, do you know what effect you are having in your job, in your marriage, with your kids? Maybe you don't think about it much. From time to time, it's good to get some feedback from the people in your life about how you're coming across. Whether it's good or bad, their input can help you improve your realtionship. In fact, you may be suprised by what you learn. Just like getting your tractor tuned up so it will work better, you'll find a little relationship tune up is just what's needed to refresh you and those you love. Comment here.
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For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
If you have spent any time at all in trucking, you know that there are many different kinds of people out here from many different backgrounds. Have you noticed that we have a tendency to stereotype them before we even get know them? Have you heard the saying, “You can’t judge a book by its cover?” It’s best to not assume anything before you have all the facts. There are some very wonderful people in our industry that deserve our respect. Get to know some new people today and accept them for who they are. They just might do the same for you. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
I once had a boss that never asked me to do anything that he wasn’t willing to do himself. He was a great mentor in my life and a great picture of what leadership looks like. Bad leaders dictate to others what must be done; good ones lead by example. Our lives should be the same even if we’re not in a leadership position. The truth is everyone is a leader of something. Think about what kind of leader you want to be. Begin to lead by your good example. Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s better to give, than to receive?” As you serve others in your life by being a good example, you’ll soon reap the rewards. Start today. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
When you conceal or hide a secret about your life, it can sometimes weigh very heavy. People say that after they tell someone about their problems they feel like a huge weight has lifted off their shoulders. If you are having a problem, don’t carry this weight. Find someone you trust that you can talk to about it. You will feel relief when you do. Not only should you confess to others; you can be available to listen to others who need to share their troubles with you. Start listening today. Remember, there is someone that will always listen to you. If you want to know more, give us a call.Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Have you ever heard that old saying “A dog is man’s best friend?” Have you ever wondered why people say this? People have learned that dogs are devoted. You can ignore them, forget to feed them, push them out of the way, and leave them hooked up to a chain all day and they will always stay by your side. We could learn a lot from our dogs. We too should be devoted to one another whether it’s a spouse, family, friends, boss or co-workers. They need to know that we will always stand by their side. We need to have people who will be committed to us too. Tell your loved ones that you are there for them. If you need someone to be devoted to you, let us know. We know someone that will always stand by you. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
There's no doubt that you’ve traveled over a bridge recently. A bridge provides passage over some sort of obstacle: a river, a valley, or a road. Bridges are everywhere and are a typical part of everyday life for most drivers. Maybe you’ve been turned away from crossing a bridge because your load was too heavy and you had to readjust to a new route. Sometimes we might find ourselves facing certain obstacles in life that can seem insurmountable and we need a “bridge” to get us over it. That’s when friends and family can be our bridges. As we lean on them for support, heed the wise advice they give, and use them as sounding boards, they can be invaluable to us as they help us journey through the difficult times in our lives. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
The largest social network website is Facebook. The founder of Facebook states that they originally started the website so college-age students could find old friends from high school to see where they are and how they are doing. They claim that it now has grown so much it literally allows anyone to look up any person in the world they choose. The realization of this literally floors me. What happened to hanging out with friends and your best girl in your hotrods at the local ice cream spot? I may be a little naive, but this type of friendship concerns me. I think we need friends we can see face to face, so we can sharpen each other through good times and bad to become better people. Let me know what you think. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
One of the social internet giants has stated that they see themselves at the beginning of a journey which gains them access to pictures of a world they never had seen before. I don’t disagree with that statement, nor do I believe that these social networks are evil. However, I do feel that maybe the days of visiting with family and friends to share our lives could be a thing of the past for many people. I fear that the social connection we once knew is gone. There are people who have more friends online than they do in their own town. Let me encourage you to build relationships with those around you. They will be there to help with the troubles and trials of your everyday life. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
There are several social internet sites available today in which people have become involved to help with their need for social connection. The downside to this is that many have allowed these sites to consume a lot of their time and energy, in place of getting together and spending time with an actual person. One site has recorded over four hundred thousand events posted each day which people are involved in. If we would put half as much effort into the everyday, face-to-face relationships in our lives, we’d have a fellowship of friends that could never be broken. Who do you share the events of your life with? Let us know if we can help. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
You may or may not be a Facebook fan, but it has been documented that they list one hundred and fifteen million (yes, million) confirmed friendships each and every day. What this means is that somebody you know knows someone else, and they want to be your online friend. No matter how you slice it, that’s a lot of friends. Could it be that our world has become way too electronic, and face-to-face friendships have gone by the wayside? I’m not implying that I don’t like Facebook, however, friends that you can share with, cry with, and see face-to-face make all the difference in the world. How many up-close and personal friends do you have? Do you have someone you can talk to on a regular basis when you need help? Call us if you don’t. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
It has been two years since I’ve talked to my sister since there is a wall between us which involves her son, my nephew. I miss her very much and am hoping for reconciliation one day when she’s ready. In the meantime, I am trying to remember the good things about our relationship instead of focusing on the negative. Is there someone in your life you are separated from and they’re not ready for reconciliation yet? Try to think positive thoughts about that person so you are prepared to mend the relationship when the time comes. Need to talk about this? Give us a call. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
This Sunday, May 9, is Mother’s Day. Driver, do you have good memories of your mother? Be thankful for those memories. Not every driver has the privilege of knowing his or her mother. My mother had twelve kids, but she had time for all of us. She was always home until we moved from the foothills of California’s High Sierra to Oakland, California, and began working in one of the two grocery stores that my father had bought. She was a loving mom, but I saw her tough side when she had to deal with disagreeable customers. Sunday has been set aside to honor our mothers. Is your mother still living? Give her a call or send her some flowers. How about the mother of your kids? Are you teaching them to honor their mother? Make Sunday a great day for the moms in your life. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
While out on the road, you run into many different types of personalities. Maybe it’s during pickups and deliveries, or maybe it’s right in your own dispatcher’s office. Some people are more outspoken, while others are quieter in their interactions. What makes one person mad can easily be overlooked by another. We all have been created alike physically, but it’s good that we have different temperaments. It keeps life interesting! Try to accept the personality differences you encounter in others. It’s beneficial to do this as it helps to reduce stress. Think about this the next time you are interacting with someone who is different than you. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
I have one friend from high school I occasionally keep in touch with and my closest friend has been a part of my life for the past nineteen years. Maintaining friendships takes time and effort. Who are your friends? Is there someone who needs to hear from you? Take the time to reconnect or keep in touch with your friends. They are important. If you would like to talk more about this or need help in this area, let us know. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Have you ever met someone who spouts off everything they know or think they know? They tend to monopolize the conversation and might even have their facts wrong. Knowledge is merely awareness of information, however wisdom knows when and with whom to share it. Next time you want to share all you know about any given subject, consider if it’s wise to do so first. Mark Twain once said, “It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.”Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Along with the wonderful spring weather comes baseball season. If you like to play baseball or softball, then you are also familiar with the sprains and strains that come with it. Did you know that you can still get sprains and strains when climbing in and out of your truck or trailer? There a different ways of treating them too. Sometimes using heat, ice or alternating with both is needed depending on the type of injury you have.
However, heat and ice aren’t really options when it comes to matters of an aching heart. How do you handle heart sprains or strains? We all have them. Doesn’t it make sense to have a healthy remedy close at hand for when they occur? We can help. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
I’ve met drivers who were self-centered and care only for themselves. Then on the other hand, I’ve met drivers who are generous and helpful, to the point of buying meals for people who seem to be down on their luck. They are understanding, pleasant to be around and a joy to talk to.
Which one are you? Do you tend to be self-centered or understanding? How do you treat your fellow drivers or your family? Let’s talk about it. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Has your boss or dispatcher ever given you instructions that you didn’t like? Suppose you were asked to pick up a load in California to be delivered to New York. But you don’t like going to New York, so you dropped the load off at their plant in Toledo. Then when you called in, you told the dispatcher that the load was at another plant within the company which does daily deliveries to New York so you saved him a bunch of miles. How much longer would you be driving for your company? Not much longer, right?
Being diligent to follow orders really does make a difference. Let’s talk about it. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
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When I was young, my older brother used to say; “Mind your own business” whenever I asked him what he was doing. Not real original, but effective. He did not want to be bothered. As adults, we have both come to the realization that he was wrong. Now, we share with each other our burdens, problems and joys. We have both realized that we need to walk alongside each other. Who walks along with you? Who are you there for? Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
When I was a boy, I heard a story about an older married couple. One day, as they were driving down the road, the wife looked across the seat at her husband. With a look of sadness she asked, “Do you remember how we were when we were young?” The husband smiled and said he did. The wife closed her eyes and leaned her head against the passenger window. Smiling, she told him how much she’d liked it when he drove with one hand on the wheel and the other arm wrapped around her shoulders. They sat in silence, each smiling at the memory. Finally the wife asked, “Why did you stop?” The husband looked at her across the seat and said, “I’m still right here where I’ve always been. Why did you move?”
Do you have someone in your life that has moved away from you? Or maybe you’ve done the moving? Give us a call to talk about it. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Is there more to life than driving a truck? I have run into drivers who love it, drivers who want out of it and those who do it because it’s the only thing they feel they can do. There are still others who ask if this is all to life? They are looking for fulfillment.
I’ve met drivers who ran into a religious person who gave them a list of do’s and don’ts. By religious, I mean people who believe it’s possible to reach God through their own efforts, good deeds or by creating good karma. However, sometimes now matter how much good you do, bad things still happen. Religion like that is unfulfilling because it’s man’s invention and doesn’t answer life’s more painful questions. However, there is a better way to find fulfillment. Contact us to learn more. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
In the service, when orders didn't make sense we'd say, "Ours is not to reason why, ours is but to do or die." The meaning of this expression was simple. Even if the orders seemed goofy, we still had to carry them out.
Ever had your dispatcher give you orders that don’t make sense? Orders like “pass by Buffalo before going to Cleveland” when you picked up your load in Toledo to deliver in Cleveland. It seems like a long way off route to get to Cleveland and a waste of time and resources. But sometimes either the dispatcher or the owner has a purpose in asking this that we don’t see or know anything about. They may be viewing the situation from another vantage point. Tell us about the times when experienced this. What did you learn? Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
You’ve probably heard the expression “All roads lead to Rome”, right? Well, it generally means that any path will lead you to the same destination. However this is certainly NOT the case with managing difficulties while living on the road. There is no single or best way to address the struggles we experience. But, there is one method to help you through those times that does really seem to help; Building relationships with those who love and care about you enough to listen to and spend the time necessary to help you work through personal problems. Who do you turn to for that kind of support? Are you that kind of person for the people in your life? Let us know if we can help. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
When I was a boy, I lived in a small town and walked to school about six blocks from home. One day on the way home, I walked by the local garage and saw a mechanic with a car up on a hoist. When I got home, I saw something that I thought would be just the thing to use as my toy car hoist. Sitting on my sister’s dressing table, I saw a tube of lipstick. I put my Tootsie Toy car right on top of the lipstick and then I turned the bottom; the lipstick came out and lifted the car up just like I figured. By the time I finished, my sister’s brand new lipstick, purchased with her own money, looked like a mushroom. Needless to say, my sister failed to appreciate the neat car hoist I had made out of her lipstick!
When we are kids, we do things for immediate gratification without thinking of consequences, either to ourselves, or to others. I thought of my own needs, and never considered my sister’s. Sometimes, even as adults we still focus on our own immediate gratification. However, there are always consequences. Want to talk about it? Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
When a baby is born into this world, his only concern is himself. He wants his food NOW, and someone better give it to him or he will cry. As the baby gets older, the crying gets louder and degenerates into yelling and a tantrum on the floor, unless he is taught better behavior. All along, kids have to be taught to think of others. If we grow up into adulthood and have never been so taught, then we go about only looking out for “No. 1”. When adults think of others instead of No. 1, we all get along much better. What do you think? Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
As a kid, there was a time when I got spanked every day. One day, I determined not to do anything to irritate my mom and get spanked. Things went o.k. in the morning, but then something happened and I blew it. I don’t remember what I did now, but I know that I had it coming when I did it. Well, you get the picture.
Do you try to please people so that you don’t “get in trouble?” Do you worry that you won’t be accepted if you were honest about whom you really are? If so, you may be a people pleaser. That usually never works out well in the end. Being overly concerned with what other people think of you is a manipulative and crippling attitude. Start taking steps today to be honest with others. It might not be as bad as you think. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
It’s very easy to put our own needs first in a culture that embraces “Me First” as a way of life. The result is our society is full of uncared for kids, wives, husbands and parents. We are reaping what we have sown. However, if everyone put others first by meeting their needs, we’d all be cared for.
It’s almost guaranteed that those you love will mess up or make mistakes at times and not meet your needs. It’s very important that you show them you still care for them even then. Caring for others cannot be based upon their performance alone. Express your care not only verbally, but by your actions everyday to the people in your life. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Today, couples try to live together without getting married to avoid the requirement of commitment. Doing so, however, short circuits the intimacy between them that is supposed to beautiful. The result is instability, uncertainty and chaos. Do you want to see what the real concept of marriage is? Contact us. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Has someone ever told you “Thanks” after you have done something for them? Remember how nice that was? Many times I have received a “Thank you, sir” after holding the door open or when I’ve stepped aside in a narrow aisle in the truck stop. There is the other side of the picture, where someone walks through as if you owed it to them. I have even heard an exchange between two drivers where one tried to correct the other by asking where his “Thank you” was. The other driver answered by saying, “If you’re waiting for a ‘Thank you,’ then you really didn’t do it out of the kindness of your heart.” Sounded like a quick comeback, but it was really just an excuse. Saying thanks to those who help us will go a long way to improving our outlook, relationships and the quality of our days. Share you appreciation with someone today.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Sometimes as drivers, we think we have seen it all. There are some pretty strange and peculiar people that out here on the road. Have you ever stopped to think about what those people are going through? We don’t always know what the situation is. Let me encourage you to stop passing judgment without knowing what someone is going through. Maybe we could help, and maybe they are really struggling. Don’t judge, offer a helping hand today. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
We all know that a yellow traffic light means to yield or slow down, right? But what do most of us do when we see a one? Most of us speed up (maybe that's just me). Another meaning for yield is to submit. In other words, we proceed with caution instead of speeding up and running through life with no thought. Instead of only thinking of ourselves first, we need to slow down and learn to think of others throughout our day. Submit to one another today. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
When you hear the word spur, what do you think of? My first thought is of what a cowboy attaches to the heel of his boots. They're used to get a horse to go forward or run faster. I never could figure out how that really worked. I mean, if you poke me with a little short piece of steel, I might retaliate. Spur can also mean to encourage someone along when things aren't going real well. Life on the road is tough. If you can help someone that's down, it will make our highways that much better. Spur one another on today and if you need someone to spur you on, please don't hesitate to give us a call. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
The word serve has several different meanings in the Webster’s dictionary such as to do, function, help, supply, and carry out with a purpose. My thoughts immediately go to our highway police. Their motto is “to protect and to serve.” Now even though some might argue this point, it still remains their goal. What if "to serve" was everyone’s motto? What would the world look like if we put someone else's needs and concerns before our own? I think it would be a much better place. Who are you serving? Comment here.
For more information check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
I served for several years in the military. Even today, whenever our armed forces are honored for their service, I still get choked up. It's appropriate to honor them. These young soldiers are fighting for our freedom while they are far away from their loved one. I suggest that honor shouldn't stop with our military. We can honor one another. What a feeling that would be to be honor others for what they do, whether it's driving a truck for endless hours, loading them or dispatching them or staying at home while the trucks keep rolling. Honor someone today. Comment here.
For more information check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
If you have spent any time at all in trucking, you know that there are many different kinds of people out here from many different backgrounds. Have you noticed that we have a tendency to stereotype them before we even get know them? Have you heard the saying, “You can’t judge a book by its cover?” It’s best to not assume anything before you have all the facts. There are some very wonderful people in our industry that deserve our respect. Get to know some new people today and accept them for who they are. They just might do the same for you. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
I once had a boss that never asked me to do anything that he wasn’t willing to do himself. He was a great mentor in my life and a great picture of what leadership looks like. Bad leaders dictate to others what must be done; good ones lead by example. Our lives should be the same even if we’re not in a leadership position. The truth is everyone is a leader of something. Think about what kind of leader you want to be. Begin to lead by your good example. Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s better to give, than to receive?” As you serve others in your life by being a good example, you’ll soon reap the rewards. Start today. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
When you conceal or hide a secret about your life, it can sometimes weigh very heavy. People say that after they tell someone about their problems they feel like a huge weight has lifted off their shoulders. If you are having a problem, don’t carry this weight. Find someone you trust that you can talk to about it. You will feel relief when you do. Not only should you confess to others; you can be available to listen to others who need to share their troubles with you. Start listening today. Remember, there is someone that will always listen to you. If you want to know more, give us a call. Comment here.
For more information check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Have you ever heard that old saying “A dog is man’s best friend?” Have you ever wondered why people say this? People have learned that dogs are devoted. You can ignore them, forget to feed them, push them out of the way, and leave them hooked up to a chain all day and they will always stay by your side. We could learn a lot from our dogs. We too should be devoted to one another whether it’s a spouse, family, friends, boss or co-workers. They need to know that we will always stand by their side. We need to have people who will be committed to us too. Tell your loved ones that you are there for them. If you need someone to be devoted to you, let us know. We know someone that will always stand by you. Comment here.
For more information on relationships, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
“But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept” (Genesis 33:4).
The need for reconciliation is a recurring discussion Brooksyne and I have with employees through our chaplain ministry. Recently, in a personal discussion with an employee, we discussed the vital need for reconciliation to occur among his family members. This is extremely important when death is near (as it was in this case), but since we don’t know when a death may occur, we need to make reconciliation a priority in life every day.
What an intense and emotional meeting is described in our daily text! Jacob had last seen his brother Esau at the time he stole his blessing. Tragically, it was Jacob’s mother who dreamed up the deceptive scheme and helped Jacob carry it out. Filled with rage Esau threatened: “I will kill.” For fear of his life Jacob fled to his Uncle Laban’s in Haran where God prospered his long sojourn.
Now, after many years of no communication, Jacob was to meet with Esau. He had been dreading this meeting for years, expecting the worst. The entire 32nd chapter of Genesis is devoted to the preparations for this inevitable confrontation. It also tells of the remarkable encounter Jacob had with a heavenly wrestler who provided divine assurance and changed Jacob’s name to Israel.
The emotion between the brothers is intense and so colorfully described in our daily verse that we can easily imagine the touching scene. When Jacob first saw Esau he approached his older brother with fear, humility, and trepidation. But what a pleasant surprise he was in for!
Esau ran to greet him, embraced him, threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. Wow, that must have been a huge relief to Jacob and what incredible joy must have filled his heart.
They wept together. What a beautiful picture of reconciliation. Scripture reveals a great deal about Jacob’s life and his spiritual growth, but we have little information about Esau. But God was molding character in Esau’s life over the long years of separation and we witness this in the reconciliation scene and the verses that follow.
Reconciliation is changing for the better a relationship between two or more persons. Theologically it refers to the change of relationship between God and man. Socially it refers to the change of relationship between people.
Two truths to consider today:
1) Let’s thank God for His reconciliation. His offer for reconciliation stands ready and remains steady. He’s waiting for our move. A great detail in the Parable of the Prodigal Son is when the father (representing God) runs to meet the returning son. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
2) Do you have someone in your life to whom you need to be reconciled? I particularly consider families that are broken by strife and long-term division.
It’s hard, but God can work in both hearts. Surely Jacob had no idea of the change that had taken place in Esau’s life, and in reality the need to meet his brother was more a matter of expediency than a willful desire to reconcile. Begin to take the initiative in reconciliation. Reach out and experience the incredible joy of reconciliation.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer:Father, you have called us to live at peace with all people, in as much as it is possible. As people of free will we cannot force reconciliation but we can facilitate reconciliation. Help us to lay aside pride, prejudice, procrastination and preconceived ideas of the outcome so that we take the first step toward reconciliation. We want to trust You to guide us in this most important endeavor as we attempt to live at peace with all people. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.
