This morning while on my way to work, just like any other day, I came up to one of two rotaries that I go through in Cambridge, respectably yielding to the traffic. The person behind me apparently did not feel that my reaction time was adequate enough as he prompty honked his horn feverently, indicating that I needed to move my ass. Normally I guess the average person's reaction is to go on the defensive.
"Oh, shove it up your ass!"
right?
But I guess I felt as though whether or not I have really moved that much faster, thus allowing the other driver to get to their destination that much quicker, made really no difference at all.
I played out a few quiet scenarios in my head:
1) They're running late already to the big meeting/presentation of the year. This could mean their job, their bonus, the inground pool, or the new puppy! or it could mean they're fired. Is that really my fault? does that really require a brain rattling honk? based on the state of the vehicle, something tells me they weren't wearing a suit, nor prepared to stand before a powerpoint. But I'm judging.
2) The passenger is having a baby (there was no passenger, by the way) and they were rushing to the hospital (which I'm not aware of one around that area) and I held them up for that one second, causing the baby to be born right there in the broken down vehicle, thus spurring an ill-fated life of drugs and crime.
3) They needed to be somewhere. A place, to see a person, about a thing. Or just to get to train station or the grocery store, or really no where at all. who knows, but I was in their way.
Massachusetts drivers do have a well deserved reputation for being a tad bit more aggressive behind the wheel. It seems as though we've acquired for ourselves a busier lifestyle, overloaded with caffiene and fried foods. We drive fast, communicate through e-mails while traveling to avoid having that awkward personal connection, and we cherish every minute of it until we die.
What's the rush? I mean, I know so many philosophers and song writers and next door neighbors all say the same thing. Carpe Diem. Live like you were dying. Be thankful for you life and so on and so forth. I whole heartedly agree. But shouldn't we be doing things that we at least enjoy? just a little? don't get me wrong, nothing sounds more appealing than speeding down Storrow Drive, with my bluetooth flashing and my Dunkin' large hazelnut with skim and 2 splenda balancing effortlessly on my right knee while I try and read up on the daily news. But what's the rush? where's the fire? how is a 15min 37 sec ride to work that much better than a 16 min ride to work. or a 20 min ride.
I love having a busy life. Working two jobs and learning to balance my personal life manages to challenge me everyday. There are definitely times when people cut me off or I don't move fast enough and I'm the one shouting obscenties over the Local radio announcer. Everyday I ask someone "how are ya? how's it going? how's the family? no news is good new right?" and it always seems that someone comes back with "there is just not enough hours in the day, or days in the week".
A shame that the time we're given isn't enough. We are given so many precious moments, and still we can't learn to appreciate that much. Even if we were given more time, what the heck would we do with it? More crap! Spend it being angry about something else.
Our weekend consists of two and 1/2 days. This past weekend, I was able to see my Best friend, my family, My long-time college friend and neighbor, A co-worker turned friend and my boyfriend; and still managed to have a good healthy phone conversation with my other close friend. That was a lot of people for 2 1/2 days! This is an average of 2 people a day. I loved getting to see them all, absolutely loved it. And it made me feel like somehow I will learn to evenly distribute and manage my personal time so that I get to smile and laugh with the people I love most in the world all the time. The gas was worth it. The time was worth it. I didn't rush and I made even more wonderful memories as I try to do everyday. People always make living like you were dying into this overly dramatic situation. Go skydiving! Swim with sharks! Say yes more and No less! but what about maybe, and perhaps. What about, yeah I'll be there, but I might not have my make-up done just right. What about, I'll do my best. How did our time become so important to other people. Or how others spend their time, so imporant to the rest of us.
As my 4 year old nephew said to his Auntie Jessica: "Don't worry about me Auntie, worry about yourself".
