Wednesday; February 24

I don’t like traffic lights. It seems that whenever I am trying to get somewhere, they are always against me. About the time I am making progress, they stop me and I have to wait for what seems like an extortionately long time. They stop the long line of cars on the road I am traveling just so one or two other cars can enter traffic. If I had my way about it, I would eliminate traffic lights – well, at least in my lane of traffic.
While the preceding paragraph is written somewhat tongue in cheek, there is an element of truth to it. Just watch as people get stopped by a traffic light: many of them bang their fist on the steering wheel, some yell some not-so-nice words and others just speed up and try to make their way through them before the light turns “too” red. While we sit there we are impatient, and we are quick out of starting blocks when the light turns green.
The other day, as I was fussing about being stuck at a traffic light, I got to thinking about why I was upset, and I came to the conclusion it was because I wasn’t getting my way. I was sitting there while everyone else was getting preference. Then it dawned on me, if it weren’t for traffic lights, only certain people could make progress. Everyone else would have to sit there and wait. Traffic lights are sort of a way to give everyone access to proceed to their destination. As I looked at this from a human perspective, isn’t that what selflessness does? When we show preference to others, don’t we give them a chance to pursue their dreams? Sure, letting others go first, may temporarily delay our progress, but it helps enhance the advancement of the people around us.
Let’s not be selfish. Let’s give those around us a chance to move forward and enjoy their journey, too.

Think About It!

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