Driving my car through a busy city road, a very intriguing thought crossed my mind. When driving a vehicle on road, we register many things and observe a variety of behaviours. Some of them are reckless, while others are shocking. The way people drive not only shows their driving proficiency but also shows their sense of responsibility towards their own well-being. I’ve seen four basic behaviours:
- Ego driving: Another vehicle comes parallel to you and tries to overtake your vehicle and the instant you notice him doing that, ego triggers in, fuels your adrenaline and sends direct signal to your foot to press the pedal hard. “How dare he try overtaking me?”
- Grandfather style driving: You are driving at regular speed on a highway and then suddenly slowed down by another vehicle driving barely at 30 kmph on a high-speed lane. There goes your average speed to minimum, and your frustration to maximum.
- Gossip’n’drive: Two vehicles driving in parallel, and drivers gossiping with each other while driving. “Road is for public” is just a myth for them.
- Hard brake driving: Speed up and brake. Then speed up and brake. There is only maximum and minimum, cruising doesn’t exist.
Life isn’t any different than these driving behaviours. With the steering wheel in our hands, we hold the control of steering our life according to our choices. And the way we drive through this unpredictable road, reflects our personality. Some decisions are fueled by ego when we think of ourselves superior than others, overstating and overestimating our capabilities to the brink of dangerous consequences. In such occasions, we should not give in to ego and avoid getting involved in a race where every one eventually loses.
Sometimes, we like to slow down and keep driving at a constant pace. It’s good practice to keep things slow for some time, but we need to make sure that we are on the correct lane. We need to make sure that we are blocking someone else’s path.
It’s good to interact with people you meet along the way, but we should make sure not to do it “on the way”. The conversation is best enjoyed when it has stability in terms of context and position, not on the run.
Progess is made when done steadily and not abruptly. In order to get somewhere, the most efficient way is to cruise through or accelerate constantly. If you are frequently distracted and stop very often, you might lag behind.
Having said that, next time I take my car on the road, I will make sure that I don’t fall under any of these categories and will simply observe as I silently pass through the traffic.
See you next time. Drive safe!
My Mind's Journal 