Padiddle: Cultivating Self-Awareness on Life's Highway

In high school, we played a game called padiddle. A padiddle was a vehicle with one headlight. When we’d pass a padiddle, we’d try to be the first to lightly slug our driver in the shoulder and holler, “padiddle.”

The padiddle winner was whoever got the most one-headlight slugs before we reached our destination. Our winning prize was typically bragger’s rights, but occasionally, we’d go for big stakes such as a soda or candy bar.

The Unexpected Teacher on My Morning Commute

I recalled this padiddle game recently when I passed a singular headlight on a car one morning. Day after day, I was aware of how often we passed each other on the same stretch of highway. The driver had no clue that I gauged my time based on his headlight. That driver also wasn’t aware that when I passed him, I sent him with kind thoughts for his safe journey—small acts of awareness that cost nothing but mean everything.

Padiddle and the Art of Cultivating Self-Awareness

I reflect on how padiddle invites me to consider my personal drive from an enlightened perspective. I think about how I sometimes face situations with a half-truth or dim light. If I emotionally, mentally and spiritually travel in the same direction with only one-headlight, I risk driving into a figurative ditch.

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Two balanced headlights representing wisdom and grace on life's journey

Traveling with Wisdom and Grace: A Spiritual Growth Journey

Those ditches include criticism and bitterness. Most of my trenches are dug with a shovel of selfishness. Without internal maintenance and repair, I endanger others with my emotional swerves and curves. When I aim to shine a lighter outlook on all life’s highways, I experience a clearer path.

With dual headlights of wisdom and grace,

Christina

Reader! Your turn!

What situations challenge you to consider someone else’s outlook?

Who or what helps you consider a clearer, more gentle light?

Kindly, leave your input so we can learn from each other.

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another, not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Rom. 12:10-11).

Bring Self-Awareness & Encouragement to Your Event

I’ve taught workshops on cultivating self-awareness through everyday moments—just like the padiddle game taught me about traveling with wisdom and grace. My “Laugh & Learn” sessions help audiences recognize their own one-headlight moments and shift toward fuller, more balanced perspectives.

Whether you’re planning a retreat, conference, women’s event, or organizational gathering, I offer engaging talks that leave participants feeling energized, motivated, and encouraged to shine their brightest light.