Great thoughts speak only to the thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all mankind. Theodore Roosevelt
Not long ago, I almost had an accident driving home from Jesup. It was not my fault, but I could have easily been broadsided if I had not been alert. On a bright sunny day, a man exited the ramp off of Interstate 95, but failed to stop at the stop sign before pulling onto Georgia Highway 57 across my path. I slammed on brakes, hit the horn and watched the grocery bag with two dozen eggs fly from the passenger seat to the floor. Fortunately, I had already slowed from highway speed of 55 mph to the required 45 mph over the Interstate. As he sped past me, now stopped in the middle highway, he scowled as if I were inconveniencing him.
Since this incident occurred only a few days after Hurricane Irma blew through and I had just passed a filling station with lines of cars while the station across the street was empty, I think the man had heard gasoline was available, and he was in a hurry to reach it. Intent on his objective, he was careless.
With age, I have tried to become a much more patient, thoughtful driver. I try to be aware of everyone around me. I try not to be the slow driver, but I refuse to exceed speed limits. I faithfully repeat the driving course designed for seniors every three years. I try to heed the suggestions for being a safe driver. But this time, if I had not been alert, he surely would have caused both of us a lot of pain.
Have you noticed this latest trend? People have become so absorbed in their own phones, lists, thoughts, needs that they will literally run over you. It’s not only on the highway that we see more and more people disregard signs, speed limits, simple courtesy. We also see it on the sidewalks and in stores. People, always in a hurry, focusing on their needs alone, expect everyone to move out of their way. I try to accommodate them.
However, I’m afraid that, at times, I’m also guilty. Although I try to stay aware of my surroundings, if I’m trying to locate a specific item on a shelf, especially if it’s on the top shelf that I cannot reach, I may not realize that my cart is blocking someone else’s path.
But, more times than not, I feel like the victim. The one not seen. The one whose path is blocked. The one people bump into. Recently as I made the turn from one aisle to the next, I was stopped by a father lecturing his two children. He was so intent, I didn’t interrupt with an “Excuse me, please.” I couldn’t back up. Finally, he noticed me and moved with his children out of my way. While such inconsiderateness may irritate me, I think it represents a far greater concern than my mere inconvenience.
As a society in general, we’ve become so self absorbed that we think the world should revolve around us. From politics to streets to stores, more people than ever take the attitude that “I’m right; you’re wrong.” Unfortunately even here in the South where we have prided ourselves on Southern hospitality and a slower way of life for years, we are gradually losing the ability to extend simple acts of kindness.
Think about it. We’ve reached the point where we brag about a rare act of kindness extended to us rather than accepting such deeds as the norm.
Mother Angelica, founder of the EWTN TV network, recognized the seeds of this unfortunate change at the turn of the 21st century. She says, “There are many who are not guilty of doing anything wrong but are very guilty of sins of omission - the things they neglect to do - the good things - the kind, thoughtful words, compassionate thoughts and hopeful attitudes they might have had towards their neighbor.”
I know that nothing any of us can say will change anyone else from his/her own self absorption. Too many people feel lost in the ever growing crowd and sense that their survival comes only with elbowing their way through. Such changes must come from the inside out.
However, if we, ourselves become more aware of others, then we probably can ward off the collisions. If we are “kinder, more thoughtful, more compassionate and hopeful,” then, just maybe, our act of kindness may just be the one that they report, in surprise, to a friend.
Recently, a friend, in presenting a devotional for a meeting, prompted me to remember that the peacemakers of the world begin to make peace by starting within their own hearts.
2017
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