Friday, August 18, 2017

Zen in the Slow Lane

(post copyright 2017, Dawn Weber)

I tried something new today. I drove the speed limit. Almost.

I can't believe it myself, but it's true: I went 71 miles an hour in a 70 mph zone on the interstate, and I am thoroughly impressed with myself, even though I might be a senior citizen now.

Not only did I go the speed limit, I stayed on the far right for most of my trip. Yep. I tooled along in the slow lane like I had no place to go. Like I didn't have a job. Like I was 80.

It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, this idea of driving slow. Along with millions of other American hot-heads, I've been a fast-lane driver most of my life, cheerfully going five to ten miles over the speed limit in the left lane and passing everyone in the right lane. My habits have only grown worse as I've aged--I've been the blur on your left, the headlights in your rearview mirror and the thorn in your side, kind of wishing you'd get out of my way.

As I've said before, instant asshole: just add freeway. Nowhere is this more apparent than the interstate, where nice, tax-paying, law-abiding people become Satan's spawn. It's especially true of the left lane, where the asshole quota is much higher.

I'll admit it: without even meaning to, I have occasionally been obnoxious in the fast lane. Maybe more "jerk" than asshole, but still--I'm tired of it. I'm tired of watching for brake lights. I'm tired of white knuckles. I'm tired of stress headaches, a pounding heart and a racing pulse. I'm tired of Rusty McLeftLane, cruising 50 mph in the fast lane. I'm tired of Sneaky McRightLane, trying to pass  on the right. I'm tired of tail-gaters, riding my rear like a frat boy on a Saturday night.

Mostly, I'm just tired.

And in today's commute, I discovered something important, and it is that in the slow lane, there are no worries. I can drive at a reasonable pace, merrily oblivious to any kind of stress, and if the people behind me don't like it, well, they can pull out and pass. I'm doing what a right-lane driver should: putting along at the posted speed limit, while the folks in the left lane continue in their quest to kill each other.

Oldster level: complete.

But most of all, in the slow lane, I can ignore the assholes, and if I've learned anything in my 48 years, it's that one of the keys to a long and happy life is ignoring assholes. Before I move from "jerk" status to "asshole" status myself, I'm going to slow my roll a bit, because the senior citizens really have something here. Although I'll admit that it's much easier to do when I'm going somewhere I have no desire to go -- such as work -- driving the speed limit in the right lane is freeing and downright relaxing, and I have much more energy to think, to chill--to just stop and smell the roadkill. 

You know, I just might obey the law more often.

15 comments:

  1. Ignoring assholes is important. I really need to get better at it.

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    1. I'm tellin' ya, Ruth -- it's one of the secrets of life. I'm not a pro at it, but I'm working on it.

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  2. Those folks in the right lane might not be old; they might just be driving a Ford Tortoise... er, Taurus... whose top speed is a rattling 55 with lurching engine... I hate driving on 270 or a two-lane highway with some pickup truck riding my ass, not looking at the car's back end and realizing that it is a Ford TORTOISE, and, like Scotty in Star Trek, She's doing as fast as she can, Jim!

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  3. Phrases of GENIUS:

    "instant asshole: just add freeway"

    "riding my rear like a frat boy on a Saturday night"

    "just stop and smell the roadkill"

    Wonderful post!

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    1. Thanks so much, Debra. I almost didn't even post this one.Wasn't sure about it.

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  4. Here's another secret. Wanna piss of the jerks and assholes? Start being courteous by letting people merge and change lanes (but only when they signal, of course). It will drive them bonkers and the entertainment is watching them come unglued as you kindly mind your business while tooling down the freeway at the speed limit with a knowing smile on your face.
    I second Phrases of GENIUS.

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    1. I've also been better at letting people merge. It's my new policy of kindness. And no one is more surprised about this than me.

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  5. I don't like driving on the highway but if I want to see my daughter and her family I have to ... so I'm learning both how to go fast (when necessary) and how to tuck into the right lane and just hum along, like you're describing. It's an adventure either way :)

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  6. Ooohhh.... Ignoring assholes. Sounds like my last marriage. lol

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  7. I tend to be the asshole who's trying to merge into the slow lane, once the assholes quit riding my ass and honking at me for driving the speed limit.

    Sending warm loving thoughts and hopes that you'll keep dodging the assholes.

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  8. This is hilarious and I have been attempting to do it myself since I tend to be a Speed Demon and even my grown Grandchildren tell me to slow down! LOL

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