On road rage and overcoming it

Here's the thing, when ever someone in front of you is driving badly, stop and remember that he or she is part of the Great Source to which we all belong. Imagine him being your dad, mother, brother or husband. Suddenly your attitude will change.

Since we're all connected to one another, we should be kind to one another. I know one thing for sure, when ever I've been crazy angry toward another driver to the point of road rage, it has only hurt me. My blood pressure would rise - not good. My throat would hurt from shouting - not pleasant (childish I might add). My entire body would be stiff with stress - quite uncomfortable and not very healthy.

And one day I had an

MOMENT!

I made a list of top five reasons why I drive badly myself sometimes:

1. I need to reach my appointment and I am late.
2. I am suffering from a bad headache or migraine.
3. Something terrible occurred in my life and I am distracted.
4. Someone hurt my feelings and I am lingering in the emotions.
5. Extremely tired from a hard day's work.

Since then, my driving has calmed down (though I revert sometimes to old habits, I snap back to "calm" quicker). I have taught myself to not fall victim to all these state of minds and be more in control. So now, when I encounter anyone driving badly in front or side of me, I once even had a crazed lady whipping up her middle finger at me from behind, I readily assume he or she is going through one or more of the above emotional states. 

The only thing I don't accept is texting and driving! No excuse there people, we've heard enough sad stories about texting and driving and getting into accidents. 

STOP texting and driving. 

BE relaxed in your life and patient enough to wait until you've stopped before you contact someone or text. What ever it is, can wait. Really it can wait.

Put your phone device on the back seat or in your bag. Will keep you from reaching it. Use the time in your car as your quiet, ME time. Go ahead, take a break from your day, put on your favorite CD and enjoy the drive. Sing along! Forget about the calls, the messages. As my friend Christy and collaborator of this blog would say be "C.A.L.M".

STOP drinking and driving

STOP texting and driving

STOP running the yellow light, I know it's a pretty color
STOP getting angry at others (they all have issues they're dealing with.

Become more of a defensive driver.

Early this month, I was stuck in the traffic on a beautiful Sunny Saturday morning, with a friend, her daughter and mine, and we were wondering what could be the cause of the horrendous traffic like we've never experienced before. And then we found out:

 " A 9-year-old girl burned to death and her mother was severely burned when their car overturned and burst into flames on the Ventura Freeway (101) on Saturday morning.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the rollover accident occurred about 8:30 a.m Saturday in the eastbound lanes of the 101 Freeway, near Las Virgenes Road.

Early reports indicated Taylor lost control, hit the center divider, spinning out of control and rear-ending a semi truck. But CHP officials now say their best witness -- who drove directly behind Taylor during the accident -- said Taylor's car never crashed into a tractor trailer. Instead, according to the witness, Taylor lost control because she was side-swiped by a large, white SUV.

CHP investigators are now on the lookout for the hit-and-run driver they believe caused the crash, said Officer Leland Tang. The white SUV was an "early 2000s" model and was last seen heading east on the 101 Freeway under the La Virgenes Road overpass. The female witness did not see if the SUV's driver was male or female, Tang said.

The witness said the SUV clipped Taylor's car, causing her to lose control. The car then flipped and slid about 20 feet on its roof before catching fire, officials said.

The blaze started instantly and devoured the car within seconds. "  

Source and full story  

I still feel for that mother.  I still do, and am reminded to be a defensive driver, alert and calm. Speed will only make it harder to stay in control of your wheel. - Yes I still feel for that mother and her family and the loss they are suffering through.