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We’ve all seen the movie scene where a dashing airline pilot reenters the cockpit after strategizing with his crew or handling a disturbance between passengers. He finds all is in order and the plane seems to be magically, peacefully flying itself.

I used to think… “Goodness, I wish I had a car that could do that.” But with that being more of a reality than a Jetsons-like dream, I’ve advanced my wishing for an autopilot mode in life.

If autopilot is a system that controls the course of an airplane or ship, wouldn’t it be possible to deliberately create something like it in my days?

How relaxing it would be if there were even few things that didn’t require constant decision making or focused energy to sustain safe progress?

Here are five ways we can put ourselves on autopilot and reserve manual steering for needed course corrections and unexpected turbulence.

1. Embrace the Inevitable. I’m going to be disappointingly blunt here. Houses will not stay clean. Emails will never stop flooding the inbox. People will say thoughtless things. Your body will get sick or injured. We simply can’t be thrown off course by the inevitable. Adopting a determined stability and cheerfulness in the midst of flattened pillows, hurtful insinuations, or physical weakness lessens the emotional or relational damage.

2. Hold to Values. If you haven’t noticed, everything is up for grabs in today’s world. Do’s and don’ts swing back and forth with the change of the seasons. There are some truths, however, that do not change with the whims of political pundits or celebrity endorsements. Look at the principles or morals that have served you and your loved one’s well. Be kind to those who live or think differently, but be consistent yourself. The world needs our examples of consistency as much as we do.

3. Decide Once. If we do the research, pray for guidance, and make our decision, we must move forward in faith that it will work out. Do not second guess, ask for continual confirmation or nervously add to or subtract from that decision. Just move forward as the light expands around you to illuminate the course.

4. Use a Flight Plan. I’ve talked about being an efficiency expert in the previous posts "Walk With Me." There’s no need for us to figure everything out through the school of hard knocks. Use what has been proven to work and put yourself on that same course. There are people much smarter and experienced that are happy to share their expertise with us. Just ask for it.

5. Keep Your Eye on the Goal. If that goal is maintaining open communication with a surly teenager, or enjoying a solid marriage when we finally retire from a consuming career, don’t be distracted. Only you can control where you ultimately end up. Good destinations should never trump ultimate destinations.

When all of my efforts to control life and others start to fail, I remind myself to go on autopilot.

When we trust that someone greater than us is piloting the ship, we can settle in on this journey called life.

Delighted to be flying with you!

Roxanne