The killer moon on May 5 was visible through my front windshield of my Suburu, rising over the central Oregon high desert plateau. The bold iridescent yellows flickered moonlight across the meadows and grasslands as we drove on back roads  to our destination. Totally mesmerized with the overwhelming lunar magic, I was immersed in the moment. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case for the State Police who drove lights flashing, with high intensity behind me; I knew I was totally screwed.

I was speeding of course. All my life I have had a heavy foot. I know this, have had my share of tickets over the years so am willing to face the music. Don’t always like the lyrics, however I take responsibility for my actions. As the policeman was walking to my window, my husband asked if I could wiggle my way out of this one as I had done in the past. In light of the speed I was driving, 80mph, I didn’t think so. I had seen the car lights come out of nowhere and pull up on the rise behind me. I knew before the lights swirled the ‘reds and blues,’ it was a cop. I have great intuitive cop radar however the moon took me off my game.

When he introduced himself as a State Police, I thought okay, I’m definitely sunk now. I offered him my driver’s license and asked if he needed registration and insurance. He replied no.  The officer asked if I knew why I’d been stopped? Are  you kidding me? Yes, I was going 80 mph, though when I saw the car, I slowed down to 68-70. Big whooping deal – I know.  But yes, I knew why I’d been stopped. I laughed and said yes I know. I also explained we were totally engrossed in the moon. We were looking for a location to photograph it, hadn’t found a turn-off as of yet (till now of course) – but forgot to tell him this in light of the full-moon-maniacal-magic and thought of a high priced ticket.

Now for the bigger visual. My car was completely loaded. Our 100lb dog was in the back, the middle seat was full of bags, an ice chest, presents for my mother and a large flower/shrub. Our Lynx Point cat was running all over the car now, being stopped. We were quite the sight.

He left to call in my information to see if I was a known drug smuggler, a thief, a terrorist or known credit card hacker.  He came back, told me to please keep the window up as he didn’t want to be responsible for my cat. He then (God bless this man!!) told me I had a choice. Don’t  you love it? A choice. What do I teach daily? Choices of course. My choice was to get a ticket for over $200 or listen to his lecture; well, let me think?  Lecture of course.

The officer was quite the gentleman and explained about the impact of roaming cattle in the area, the deer crossing where many had been hit by trucks and cars, the impact of speeding etc. He told me ‘honesty and attitude’ was what changed his mind about giving me a ticket. I had told him I was speeding and didn’t deny it and was ready to except my just rewards.

As the recipient of the lecture and well as the intuitive observer, the bigger piece in this was the Practical Wisdom displayed by this man. He could see I was telling the truth. My car was full of family and gifts. He used his practical wisdom to realize and know I was not drunk from Cinco de Mayo, was not posing problems for others and I wasn’t a criminal. He chose the high road to teach me a lesson rather than a hard line which would have only pissed me off.  I was so impressed by this officer’s innate intelligence and perspicacity, not only was I relieved not to be relinquishing $200 plus to the state, I put my cruise control on at 60 mph the rest of the way. (Of course I was still the rebel as the limit is 55 mph.)

The point is we need more people in the world basing their decisions on being practical and wise, using their head coupled with their hearts for clear, decisive and practical wisdom. The more you incorporate this into your own life, using the information presented to you in combination with experience, guidance and intuition, the stronger your own true inner wisdom will be.

I honor this State Policeman for doing his job with great dignity and seeing the world from a higher vision. He truly looks at life through the lens of making the world a better place. He has integrated the concept of practical wisdom into his perspective as well as his actions. It’s most impressive in a time when so much casuistry takes place.

I invite you to utilize  your own practical wisdom and compliment others who implement it in their lives. We can change the world through extended functional, pragmatic, rational, and sound insight and discernment. Make this a new operative mantra.

Sorry, I never did get the photo of the moon. 

Cosmic sunshine to you.