dans la voiture, je ne jure pas
It's the season of Lent, so this is the time of year to change all of those malicious thoughts that run through our heads. Most of my problem begin early in the day with my morning commute and end on a sour note with the drive back. This is an area that I need to work on.
Now, it very well may happen that all of those people on the morning commute will end up in hell, but as far as i'm concerned (insofar as I struggle during Lent): for all I know, there is a perfectly good reason for each and every swerver^, curb-crawler*, vague', speeder** and person who, in general, doesn't use his blinker** or allow you to merge or change lanes (i shall also include those who have broken down in the middle lane of a busy street, for early in the morning, when thoughts are rarely charitable, they are, well, very annoying).
No. Lent is not the time to condemn these people. That speeder: he's not speeding because he left late through his own fault -- perhaps because of a late night full of lechery. He's just trying to get to church on time; his delay was unavoidable becasue he had to help his wife feed the children breakfast and to say their morning prayers.
That person who speeds up when you turn on the blinker to change lanes: He wasn't born illegitimately, and in fact, he is the offspring of a human mother and father. He just sees that it would be more efficient for all involved that he zoom past you. It isn't his fault that the person behind him is speeding to church and inadvertently blocks your path.
That curb-crawler: He's given all of his money into the collection bin so that he bought a car with slightly slower pickup. And besides, these kinds of people are necessary because they do not speed up when you do need to get in their lane. Their problem is not malice; they're just so peaceful from returning from church that they do not want to intimidate any other drivers.
That vague: Is a good example for all of us, for he illustrates how moral weakness may affect us. Often in life we do not know: do i choose this or this? Fortunately, they always choose the lane that they think will be the slowest so that you can take the faster one. Even though they are returning from church, they wish for you to get to your church service as quickly as possible. The vague is a wake up call: "Do not look to your right or to your left" (except when you're driving, of course).
But one must feel compassion for the poor person who broke down at the light on the hill. Actually, these people are not broken down, but instead, they simply saw what hour it was and saw that it was a good time for a Holy Hour -- to pray the Office. He is so enthralled in the Divine Word that he has forgotten himself completely -- in a beatific ecstasy. Such a person cannot possibly be any source of irritation, instead, their example can inspire us to stop at a chapel on our way to our destination (for it is likely that we are not so holy as to enter such bliss, and therefore, to have an excuse).
^ That is, those who swerve from lane to lane and cut people off, rendering the general public very near a nervous breakdown.
* The world would be a much happier place if people drove at least the speed limit.
' I use vague as a singular noun to describe those who (usually lazily) cannot choose a lane when they make, say, a left turn. This is a very dangerous habit that can very nearly cause an accident if the driver behind them is an impatient driver.
** By speeders I do not mean those who go 10, even 15 over if the zone makes for safe driving. What i mean by speeding is driving at least 15 over when traffic is thick and it is unsafe to do so.
Now, it very well may happen that all of those people on the morning commute will end up in hell, but as far as i'm concerned (insofar as I struggle during Lent): for all I know, there is a perfectly good reason for each and every swerver^, curb-crawler*, vague', speeder** and person who, in general, doesn't use his blinker** or allow you to merge or change lanes (i shall also include those who have broken down in the middle lane of a busy street, for early in the morning, when thoughts are rarely charitable, they are, well, very annoying).
No. Lent is not the time to condemn these people. That speeder: he's not speeding because he left late through his own fault -- perhaps because of a late night full of lechery. He's just trying to get to church on time; his delay was unavoidable becasue he had to help his wife feed the children breakfast and to say their morning prayers.
That person who speeds up when you turn on the blinker to change lanes: He wasn't born illegitimately, and in fact, he is the offspring of a human mother and father. He just sees that it would be more efficient for all involved that he zoom past you. It isn't his fault that the person behind him is speeding to church and inadvertently blocks your path.
That curb-crawler: He's given all of his money into the collection bin so that he bought a car with slightly slower pickup. And besides, these kinds of people are necessary because they do not speed up when you do need to get in their lane. Their problem is not malice; they're just so peaceful from returning from church that they do not want to intimidate any other drivers.
That vague: Is a good example for all of us, for he illustrates how moral weakness may affect us. Often in life we do not know: do i choose this or this? Fortunately, they always choose the lane that they think will be the slowest so that you can take the faster one. Even though they are returning from church, they wish for you to get to your church service as quickly as possible. The vague is a wake up call: "Do not look to your right or to your left" (except when you're driving, of course).
But one must feel compassion for the poor person who broke down at the light on the hill. Actually, these people are not broken down, but instead, they simply saw what hour it was and saw that it was a good time for a Holy Hour -- to pray the Office. He is so enthralled in the Divine Word that he has forgotten himself completely -- in a beatific ecstasy. Such a person cannot possibly be any source of irritation, instead, their example can inspire us to stop at a chapel on our way to our destination (for it is likely that we are not so holy as to enter such bliss, and therefore, to have an excuse).
^ That is, those who swerve from lane to lane and cut people off, rendering the general public very near a nervous breakdown.
* The world would be a much happier place if people drove at least the speed limit.
' I use vague as a singular noun to describe those who (usually lazily) cannot choose a lane when they make, say, a left turn. This is a very dangerous habit that can very nearly cause an accident if the driver behind them is an impatient driver.
** By speeders I do not mean those who go 10, even 15 over if the zone makes for safe driving. What i mean by speeding is driving at least 15 over when traffic is thick and it is unsafe to do so.
posted by Emmanuyil at 15.3.06
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