EVERYDAY MIRACLES
Driving on the freeway in any major city in the United States, we are usually very aware of the drivers who are creating a hazard for us, by driving too fast, too slow, or in a reckless manner. We rarely notice all of the many drivers who are being safe and courteous. There is something miraculous about the reality of thousands of human beings moving tons of metal at breakneck speeds, within inches of each other and not colliding. Each one of us drivers is preoccupied, distracted, carrying on conversations with passengers or on a cell phone, eating a sandwich or curling our eyelashes (yes, I really saw that the other day).
Wrecks…are to be expected. It would serve us well, however, to notice the harmony, the flow, the synchronicity, the effective non-verbal communication between motorists which allows us to continue to our destination. The next time you are out on the road, or if you are in your car now, be aware that there are many people doing a good job, going reasonably close to the speed limit, staying in their lanes, using turn indicators, and allowing plenty of room between them and other vehicles. There are good hearts, innocent souls, even angelic presences all around us all of the time. This goodness of heart is subtle and quiet, and does not demand our attention in the way that dangerous drivers do. We have to deliberately look for it. When we allow our reptilian brain to constantly direct our attention to what is wrong, bad or dangerous, we become part of the problem. Look at what’s right. Notice the beauty, kindness, goodness, and skill that is all around you all of the time. Have a little faith in humankind and human kindness.
