"Do you know what you just did"
"What?" I replied trying to keep my concentration on the oncoming traffic.
"Slow down a little, you're going above the speed limit." It was my first driving lesson and the instructor allowed me to take the car onto the main road. First or twenty-first lesson, 30mph is really slow especially when you're sitting in the driver's seat. "When you passed that last car you instinctively moved yours to the left."
"Did I?"
"Yeah. You don't even notice it sometimes. It's a natural human response; when we see danger coming we move away from it. But as you move away from danger on one side, you may go crashing into something else on the other side."
"I guess so."
"Next time, don't be so afraid and you'll find people will give you way when it is your right. Trust them, but also be ready because there are some really rash drivers, especially in this area."
*****
Whenever we come across new things or new people in life we tend to roll up into a ball and become monosyllabic. No eye contact, no talking, just mind your own business. It then takes a long time after that for us to come out of our protective rolled up state and begin to open our eyes.
If you set out to look for something in others you'll very rarely find it unless you practice and understand it too. If it is goodness you seek, then be good to others; if trust is what you're after be trusting yourself and if it is a bit of understanding you require then show others you can give them the same. Think of it this way. If a person comes up to you you'll start by giving them the respect they deserve. But when you discover they have nothing good to share and are generally a 'bad' person, your attitude to them will change pretty fast. You'll be reluctant to share any of your goodness with them because all they have to give in return is bad names and foul language. After all, what you give is what you get.
Keep your arms open, give people a chance without entering the *RED ALERT* errr I don't know you state and you may just find yourself a totally awesome new friend or lover or helper. But as always, don't open yourself up so much that others take advantage, because there are some really rash people out there!
Posts
23 August 2010 at 19:13
driving lessons-- yep u meet some very crazy drivers who probably go mad at the sight of a learner driver!!
very philosophical post although very true. Its all about give and take. Not just one about or the other.
you can always just be nice to everyone but you wont always receive any back.
23 August 2010 at 19:37
Yeah, I agree. Whatever 'relationship' we have with others, is always a 2-way thing, whether it be friendship, teacher student, doctor patient, husband wife etc etc.
And you're right, some people just don't appreciate it, you just gotta accept that.
24 September 2010 at 18:23
I think it's an unfriendly attitude of the Western world, we instinctively avoid eye contact because we hate small talk or are just too snobby to make any human contact with others.