Month of Gratitude

For many years, I have used the month of November to acknowledge my gratitude of things for which I am thankful. This past year has been 'one like no other', so my list of Gratitudes will be also. I am asked (daily) how I like RideShare driving, I have some pat answers I respond with - but since today is Thanksgiving, I'm going to post a  month's worth of positive things I count as blessings associated with "my job." (In alphabetical order)

1. Adventure: I'm a fairly content person. I don't 'need' adventure in my life. I don't 'look' for adventure ... I'm pretty much a fan of 'ordinary'. RSD is an Adventure I would have never dreamed of doing. 
2. Audiobooks: This has been on my regular November gratitudes because I'm a serial listener. Love love love listening to books and with all the hours I spend (alone) in my car, I get to hear lots of them!
3. Back to backs: This is when before one ride is completed, the RS company assigns another trip. It's most common in the morning hours, but any busy time can find me doing trip after trip with no down time. This makes the hours fly by and helps the bottom line too!
4. Cash Tips: I'm grateful for any tips - but when someone gives me cash, it becomes my "mad money". And no... I don't keep track of it for the IRS. Let them come after me. 10-20% of people may tip, but 90% of them tip on the app (which the IRS loves). If they want to tax my my $5 (average) cash tips a week - they can go for it.
5. Children: I love little people in my car. I also love parents who come prepared with their car-seats. Those without a safety seat cannot ride... Seriously people - it's not only the law, it's your child!  The conversations with wee ones can make my whole day. I'm a RS Driver by day... but Nana 24/7.
6. Christian Radio: This one too, always makes my November list, but along with the radio, I enjoy Pandora stations as well.
7. Clean Bathrooms: You can stay tuned for a future post about public restrooms in general but let's just say a 'clean bathroom is my happy place'.
8. Climate Control: Anyone who has had the heater (or AC) go out in their vehicle can imagine my appreciation for what we often take for granted - being warm in the cold and being cool in the heat! 
9. Condo: We recently moved to a condo twenty minutes from our former home. I can actually go online in my kitchen, for which I'm very thankful. Also, I have been able to cut my hours on the road back a bit. 
10. Conversation: In the past 10 months, I've had some awesome conversations with total strangers. Being a people person by nature, I enjoy these visits and have also come to appreciate those who prefer not to talk. 
11. Cruise Control: I never used to use cruise control 'in town' - but I've found it works well 'wherever'.
12. Dash Cam: Yes... "Smile... You're on Nana's Camera". Not all RSD have Dash Cams, but I do.
13. Diversity: I've given rides to people from different countries, religions, races, orientations, ages and economic classes. I've met some nice service dogs too. How boring life would be if we were all alike. (Actually, we are more 'alike' than we are 'different'). The Golden Rule applies in every situation.
14. Encouragers: I try to be a blessing to those I transport - but they often bless me.
15. Facebook Page:  RS drivers have a Facebook page which I find both humorous and helpful. I can't say we are "co-workers" - but we definitely share laughs, stories, and vital information!
16. Flexible Hours: This is probably the thing for which I'm most grateful with regard to RS. Being able to choose my hours, take a day off, or go offline for a while all make this a good job for me.
17. Gas Prices: Right now I'm grateful for the falling prices of gas. DH and I use GasBuddy which not only gives us a discount on each gallon but also gives prices of gas in a given area. (If you are interested in learning more... let me know).
18. GPS: Even though it is wrong a small percentage of the time, without it - I'd be wrong 99% of the time.
19. Income: Yeah... this is a no-brainer. I'm not doing this just so I have something to blog about.
20. Long Rides: I consider anything over 10 minutes a pretty decent ride. There's nothing worse than driving ten minutes or more to pick someone up just to take them 2-3 minutes away.
21. Midwest Friendly: I've learned from my riders (from other areas of the country) that drivers in Iowa are for the most part, friendly and accommodating. I've had to change lanes a few times and drivers will slow down and let me in. This comes as a surprise to many passengers. One medical student from the Bay Area said, "That was amazing. You would have gotten flipped off for sure in San Francisco."
22. New Vehicle: Last month, DH and I got a new (to us) vehicle. The 40K miles I put on the Aveo made us decide to get a newer (by one year) car with fewer miles. "Goodbye 2011 Aveo... Hello 2012 Fusion"
23. No Money Handling: Some people don't realize that when you RS, all the transactions are done online by credit card. 
24. Opportunity: I'm always amazed at the number of opportunities I have to share with or help someone, beyond just transporting them from place to place. I'm a firm believer in "For such a time as this" - you never know when time with a passenger (or a visit with another driver) is a divine appointment.
25. Overcast Days: Don't judge. I'm a sunshine kind of person, but I prefer driving without it.
26. Phone holder: Everyone should have one. Buy them for stocking stuffers. You're welcome.
27. Regulars: Some people say they've never had the same RS driver twice - I have quite a few to whom I've given multiple rides. They're like old friends.
28. Safety: I guess I mis-spoke on #15 ... Safety is my greatest gratitude. That of my passengers, my vehicle and myself. I never drive without praying first!
29. Small City Traffic: I would never be able to RS in a large city. Eastern Iowa is the perfect size for a driver like me. 
30. Wardrobe: No one cares what I wear. This goes for both clothing and make-up. I can dress up or dress down. No one will notice. I purged 2/3 of my clothes this year. Surprisingly, it feels better to have less.

So this took a lot longer than I thought... but I'm glad to have made the list. Complaining accomplishes nothing but Gratitude makes the heart happy. Wishing each of you both a Happy Thanksgiving and a Happy Heart!