Be in the driver's seat

Unemployment, staying positive, my mom's advice, a new feature, and 7 other things worth your time. All on a Saturday.

It’s the weekend, so this is a special Saturday edition. But I really just had to write today.

The unemployment numbers are out. They’re not good, to put it lightly. Perhaps we can hope that it’s temporary, but a lot of people are hurting. A lot of people are worried.

I'm working to stay positive, and I've also been thinking about some great advice my mom has given me repeatedly over the years. Since, it's Mother's Day tomorrow, I wanted to share it.

This all dates back to high school, and when I was home summers in college. Every time my mom saw me heading out the door, she'd say some version of the same thing:

Either, "Be in the driver's seat," or else, "Remember who comes first."

Of course, it was in one ear and out the other when I was 17 or 19 years old. But I'm a lot older now, and I've reflected on it many, many times.

The “driver's seat” line was both literal and figurative.

She knew I didn't drink alcohol back then, and that I was a good, careful driver. So she'd rather that I …