Lessons Learned From Traffic

No one likes to be in traffic, but that is exactly where I found myself the other day. Instead of taking only forty minutes to drive home, it took over an hour. I am not a patient person and acknowledge it as one of my flaws.  However, as I watched how the drivers were operating their vehicles, it made me think about a few observations from which we may be able to learn.

Some observations made me think about how people live their lives. Those observations include the following:

A few people were cutting through parking lots to get in front of those waiting in line. There are people in this world, who do not care about following rules. They do not care about anyone else in the moment but rather only concern themselves with themselves. How much better would the world be if we chose to honor one another above ourselves?

Some people never use turn signals. This doesn’t bother me as much as it does some because over the course of my life, I have seen people using them only to have others speed up so the driver cannot change lanes. Sometimes not signaling is a sign that they do not know where they are going until it is too late. I wish everyone had direction in his or her life. Not knowing your purpose in life can be frustrating. It can make a person jump from cause to cause just trying to feel important. Everyone is important. We all have different functions in life. We will never all agree on everything. Nevertheless, one direction that we should follow is to love everyone.

One thing that particularly aggravates me is tailgaters. Getting close to my vehicle where I cannot see the bumper of your car in my review mirror will not help anyone get anywhere faster. If I am going slower than you do, get in the passing lane and pass me. Most of the time, getting in front of me only allows you to get behind the car in front of me. There are many impatient people in this world. Normally we are impatient because people do not do things as we think they should. In many of my jobs, I have learned that many times there is no one correct way of doing something. (I know some things do but not all.) Having the “I am always right” attitude only causes stress. It is arrogant to think we are better than others are. We should accept one another in love with all humility, gentleness, and patience even if that means not getting our way.

Defensive drivers are much safer. They always watch to see dangers before they arrive. Some people live life seeing what may come and preparing for it. Others fear what the future may hold and never take chances. Without taking risks, we are stuck in routines that never help us to excel. Mark Zuckerberg once said, “The biggest risk is not taking any risk... In a world that is changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.” Do not be afraid of what tomorrow may bring. Tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own. I am not saying you will succeed every time, but failure is only after you stop trying. Every time you do not succeed. Learn from it.

I could add to the list.

·   Stingy drivers (only lets one person in front of him for the entire trip regardless of how many intersections -showed enough kindness for one day),

·   The slow driver in fast lane (slowing progress of people going somewhere), and

·    In addition, the courteous drivers (helps others in need and puts other people first.)

In our daily lives, let us remember the people around us. Do not consider yourself the most important thing in this world. When we are gone, life will continue without us. Make a difference. Invest in someone’s life. Learn from the things and the people around you. Most of all, love everyone.

Life Sucks But I Love It

Since a very recent tragedy took place at work, counselors and social workers came and held sessions to help us through tough times. While sitting in my group, my mind began to wander. Of course, I feel for the people involved and their families, but my mind went much further back in time than this past week.

I love people. I may not always know how to show it and many people have thought that I was detached emotionally. I have been at funerals of loved ones when I heard people say, “Did you see Larry cry? I never thought I would see that.” I often wondered how horrible a person I must be if people do not notice I care. However, I do care, and I care very much.

I may hide my true feelings through joking around with others. Bringing laughter to situations regardless of how bad it may be. I believe laughter is the best medicine, though some may not appreciate it at times. Over the years, I have learned when and to whom I can joke without offending others. (I still may lapse judgment here on occasion.)

The tragedy that happened last week made me think about tragic times in my life. Like everyone, I have lost loved ones like my mom (much too early), my grandparents, and many friends. While the loss of my mom left a deep emptiness in my heart to which I have never recovered, what I really felt was the fact that both of her parents had to go through the loss of a child. While I know it happens, no parent should ever have to witness the death of his or her own child.

Other tragic things I have experienced, as others have, is illness that changed my life forever, a hurricane that destroyed all of my material things leaving me homeless, a tornado that hit my new home causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage, an unwanted job change and an unexpected surgery.

Life sure can suck. However, life goes on.

I have a wife that has been true to her wedding vows (richer, poorer, good times and bad). I love her more than she can imagine, but my showing it sometimes fails.  I have two fantastic sons and a daughter in law for which I would do anything. I have a granddaughter that rocks my world and even seeing a picture of her brings a smile to my face and spirit. 

I have a job that I enjoy (two jobs actually) although I work too many hours and see my family far too little.  I have a few good friends, a nicer home than before the tragedies, a church family that I love, a fellowship of ministers to which I am proud to be a part. I am in a better place than I have been in the past. I can now help others where before I struggled to help myself.  

One thing that I know, life continues and I must continue with it. When I am weak, God is still strong. He holds me up. He also has given me all of the good things that I have listed and many more. Therefore, while tragedy continues to fill lives, I will continue to get out of bed and get moving, and I encourage others to do the same.

This is my life. It is not perfect, but I LOVE IT.

Why a blog?

People often ask me what is going through my mind. Often times, answering that question is not an easy task. It is not that I do not know what I am thinking, but wondering how the questioner would respond if they only knew.  Sometimes the things that I think are completely irrelevant to what is going on around me. I know this does not necessarily make me unique, but those things are often times unique. While the things that I do and say are put out there for the world to see, I keep most of my thoughts and feelings tucked away more than most would believe. Sometimes I feel like I need to let those thoughts out of the cold dark cellar of my mind regardless of what others may think, if for no other reason than to keep my sanity. I am aware that when it comes to blogging, I am late to the party. However, my writing is more to help me and maybe along the way, a few others.

This is perhaps the beginning glimpses for those who may want an inside glimpse into my mind.