Playing In Traffic

By: Jim Gustafson
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:41:50
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I was late to an appointment with a client with whom I meet each week. I know exactly how long it takes to get to his office. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, 15 minutes max. As I sat in traffic, I knew I was going to be late, so I phoned. I saw no obvious reason for the back-up, until I looked closely at the cars surrounding me.

Where I live the passing seasons are not signaled by the changing color of leaves, but the changing color of license plates. As multi-colored leaves fall gently to the floor of a New Hampshire woods, so do license plates from Northern states cascade to the asphalt of Florida in autumn. The popular words from Poltergeist II, “They’re back,” are oft quoted by those of us who suffer through the muggy Florida summer to avoid the inevitable snows.

I do not begrudge my fortunate friends their dual lives, one North and one South. I am working hard to appreciate the personal growth opportunity they provide, as my daily travel time triples. Each year I dust off the games I play to pass my expanding time in traffic:

License Plate Hunting – last year was my absolute best – 38 out of 50, including “Hawaii,” go figure. Breathing Exercise – Inhale 7 counts, exhale 8 , and hold for 4 Bumper Sticker Collecting – Best so far, “What if the Hokey Pokey is what it’s all about?” Networking – annoying others with my calls to pass my time and interrupt theirs. Or sometimes, when I am really on my game, I allow myself to relax, be patient, observe, smile and go with the flow even when it is slow.

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