Reality Check

Frank A. Fiorello; peace, love, and a loaded gun.

Firmly holding the steering wheel, I witnessed the elderly woman in the right turn lane exhibiting clear signs of distress, anxiety, and fear. Her situation was precipitated by a young man who continually honked his horn, showcasing a blatant disregard for courtesy and consideration.

A brief, polite horn beep would have been adequate, but he chose to extend the honking, revealing his rude, arrogant, and nasty disposition, marked by a lack of patience and empathy.

Although I was in a foul mood, I couldn't help but feel compassion for the older lady. I considered getting out of the vehicle to address the egregious behavior of the bully. What type of individual persists in such relentless impatience?

While staring off into the distance, I missed my chance to pass through my own green light, prompting contemplation of the chaos within my heart and mind. Watching the expansive grey, blue, black, and white clouds, I found myself drifting away, lost in memories.

The storm clouds evoked memories of the expansive Colorado sky, which unfolded infinitely as I drove west. However, the sky was not obscured by clouds during my journey; instead, it was punctuated by grey behemoths that revealed themselves to be the Rocky Mountains. Reflecting on and transcribing these thoughts still sends shivers down my spine.

In the present moment, I observed the cars and people in the right lane undergoing a transformation. The relentless flow of traffic and individuals entering and exiting our lives serves as a reminder that change is the universe's only constant, yet we often struggle against it. I hoped the lady arrived safely at her destination, and that the individual displaying aggressive behavior would cultivate patience.

In those fleeting moments, I felt an overwhelming desire to embark on a journey westward, to behold the majestic mountains and the breathtaking landscape that surrounds them, a testament to God's omnipotence as the ultimate Creator. At that time, I was compelled to move towards the grandeur of Creation, to liberate my spirit and shed the constraints of modern society.

Upon regaining my focus, I pulled off at the next green light, taken aback by the lack of honking as I waited for the light to cycle back to red before making a left-hand turn into the parking lot of my pain management physician's office.

What drives us to be so unforgiving towards others, when we ourselves crave forgiveness for the same mistakes? How can we justify being ruthless towards others for errors we have also committed? Is it due to our own insecurities that we lash out? Whatever the reason, it appears we have devolved into unkind entities that inflict cruelty and evil upon one another, rather than offering support and assistance.

Photo by slack12