I have a fairly long commute. It is mostly highway driving, so it isn’t too bad. I don’t speed, per se, but I certainly don’t want to go any slower than I need to go. (So, OK, I like to set my cruise control about 5 mph over the speed limit and maintain a fairly constant speed. I am never the fastest on the highway, for sure.) I like to follow the rules of the road. I drive in the middle lane, except to pass or enter/exit the highway. I don’t like to pass on the right. (I don’t want to pass on the right.) There seems to be a trend toward the majority of drivers traveling in the left-hand lane–i.e., passing lane—which is fine if you are going faster than the rest of the traffic. However, there seems to be an increasing percentage of drivers going immediately to the left lane and traveling at or below the speed limit. Being from the east, I thought at first that this was a west coast thing. Perhaps, but it seems to be a national trend. It is annoying, and, not only that, it is dangerous. It forces more aggressive and impatient drivers to pass on the right—often weaving in and out of vehicles and tailgating. Overall, it slows the flow of traffic.
Maybe this post is an excuse to vent, but the topic coincides with some other observations about how we deal with others on our road to success. Moreover, I see the parallels in how we affect others on their road to success. We are all going somewhere in life. Most of us are focused on getting where we need to go as quickly and effectively as possible. There will, however, always be people who impede our travel, and, frankly, we can be an impedance for others from time to time, as well.
There are numerous reasons why someone may insist on traveling in the fast lane and slow our progress. Some are just ignorant to the fact. They are going about their own business completely clueless as to what is going on around them. (This was the lady in the Smart car, yesterday, whose speed varied from 60 to 75 in the passing lane as ate her breakfast driving down the highway. And, of course, there are those who still insist on talking on their hand-held cell phone while driving….) These people are simply self-absorbed and unaware.
There are those who, perhaps, think they are making a statement and controlling the speed of drivers on the road. Maybe this is a socialist ideology (not trying to be political here) that we should all receive the same reward no matter what our effort. These people wish no one greater or lesser success, so success should be limited to the least common denominator. When we take this position, though, there is far less progress—we all move at less than 65 mph.
Then, there are those who intentionally slow or impede another’s success. I saw an interesting video, yesterday, about a young man, significantly obese (roughly 700 lb or more), who spent his time trolling people on the computer—because it made him feel better about himself. We see many people like this, who don’t wish to see others succeed because they can’t accept their own shortcomings. In the case of this man, he trolled a bodybuilder chatroom. In time, the participants requested that he post a picture of himself. He did. And, surprisingly, the group did not respond with fat shaming. Instead, they began to encourage him to take the weight off. They focused on helping him. They got him moving and exercising, and the weight came off. He is a new man. He is now filled with self-confidence and, moreover, has given up his negativity.
We have choices on the highway of life. First, we have to decide that we want to proceed on a path to success. Second, we have to decide are we going to help others or block their success. We all see the greatest success when we stick to the proper lane. Encourage others in their success. Let them pass if they must. Don’t allow jealousy or self-centeredness to cause you to be an impedance. Help others succeed and, surely, they will help you. Above all be patient. Not everyone has the desire or the means to be (extra)ordinary. Travel your path and be supportive of others.
Carpe momento!