‘Tis the season to be jolly but you wouldn’t know that driving on the freeways of any major city in the U.S. It seems like some of us lose our humanity once we turn the ignition to our car. We some how forget about the holiday season mantra, “let there be peace on earth and good will toward men”….and that should also include soccer moms and Republicans… Or Democrats. And that peace on earth concept should extend to the freeways as well.
Did you see the videos that were shot on Black Friday when the doors opened at various retail stores? People were being trampled all because of some holiday sales! It looked like the opening of a The Who concert! (OK, bad comparison) That attitude of “Me first, it’s all about me, I’ll beat you to death for that blue ray disc player” is the same kind of thinking we tend to have behind the wheel. People fighting over a parking space, people shooting other drivers over a finger and lame brains who attach “balls” to the hitch of their trucks! And we are supposed to be the most intelligent animals on earth?!?!
I would like to believe that most people are good and decent at their core, like I said, “most” people, unlike Philadelphia Eagle fans. I would also like to believe that most people when separated from the masses would be willing to lend a helping hand when they see others in need or when they see someone wanting to change lanes they would let them over.
You know what else I’ve come to realize? If I want my world of driving and my world as a whole to be peaceful, it has to start with me. I also came to realize that just because I have tinted windows people can still see me if I pick my nose at the intersection. One of my favorite quotes is from the famous author, Leo Tolstoy: “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”
Have a safe and happy holiday season! Until next week…
Take care and be safe-
Danny Keaton