Mind States – September 2007
Urban Living … and Waiting
Life in the Fast Lane and in Traffic
by James Anthony Ellis
Can you believe the traffic these days? It’s hard to fathom how bad it’s gotten in the past few years. What have we done to our world? With the onslaught of overcrowded freeways, we’ve created a world of people in a rush with no way to move ahead. Can you relate?
You. Yeah, I’m talking to you––the one in front of me. Do you think you can go any slower? I don’t think so. I guess I’ll have to move from this lane. And you there in the next lane––could you at least let me in? No? But your lane is going .62 miles per hour faster than my lane. I know I just got out of that lane 30 seconds ago. But still, give me a break. How was I supposed to know it would pick up again so soon?
And look at the time! I knew I should’ve started earlier and had breakfast or perhaps a very late dinner further up the freeway. Maybe I should have just spent the night in North County. Better yet, I probably should have rented a motel room. Or just move. Pack up my stuff, get a tent, live outside––in the parking lot right next to my work. Or I could live at my workspace, on the desk cuddled up next to my electric stapler. Anything would be better than this traffic.
Now I’ll really have to rush. But how? I’m stuck, boxed in. I need to find something to do. Maybe a book on tape, something quick for the drive, like “War and Peace.” Or maybe I can just take a nap. No, I might oversleep and end up in Oxnard. Or I could sing to the song on the radio. Let’s see what’s playing: “I can’t get no … satisfaction, and I try, and I try, and I try!” That’s not helping.
During a recent commute, I heard that the Department of Transportation listed San Diego in the Top Ten for America’s most congested cities. It also stated that our country loses $168 billion yearly from highway congestion. It makes me wonder: How much of that $168 billion was mine?
So, as I do the slow-mo drive, maybe this would be a good time to just relax and do a little self-inquiry. I don’t get much time to just be at peace in my life. I’m rushing around so much. Yes, I think a little meditative prayer would do me good. I can just mellow out, center myself, ignore the guy blaring his horn to the left of me and feel the glorious power of the Divine within.
So my prayer for the day? Ahem. “In this grand, perfect, all-encompassing Universe, I know and accept that there is one almighty God... Hey, how did that ’75 Buick fit in there just now? I had at least a 30-foot safety zone in front of me and that tanker just sucked it right up.. "...and in this perfect Universe, the One Power resides inside of me and inspires me to... ...directly merge RIGHT BACK in front of that Buick! Damn this delay! Why didn’t I take the beach road or cross-streets, or even the Coaster? Why didn’t I just take up skateboarding or hang-gliding or quantum teleportation or even cloning? Anything would be faster than this. And I’ll tell you another thing: this traffic better not be caused by one of those accidents on the road, where all those darn looky-loos back us up for miles, just so they can get a peak at some roadside carnage. That’s so rude. Oh geez, red lights, pylons, flares. I guess there was an accident. Man … take a nice, long, look at that, will ya?
I also read somewhere that more and more city people these days are leaving the rat race and moving to the country. I could do that, too––find me a nice tree house to move in to, breathe some fresh air, drink from a stream, or at least from a high-quality water filter. Commune. Listen to the birds’ songs, chop wood, carry water. Be calm. Truly realize peace…
Oh wait! There it is: the off ramp. I think I’m going to make that meeting yet! But only if I rush. Better step on the gas!
Ah, the wonder of the urban life...now that I’m in the fast lane, at last.
James Anthony Ellis is a writer and producer dedicated to the pursuit of working from home. He can be reached on his car phone at 858.518-5826.
Top 15 Spiritually Conscious Bumper Stickers Found … While Sitting in Traffic
1. God is coming and is she pissed.
2. Well, at least the war on the environment is going well.
3. Just say NO to negativity.
4. The winner of the rat race is still a rat.
5. In case of rapture, can I have your car?
6. Black holes are where God divided by zero.
7. I didn’t believe in reincarnation in my last life, either!
8. I plan to live forever. So far, so good!
9. Therapy is expensive. Popping bubble wrap is cheap. You choose.
10. The more you complain the longer God makes you live.
11. Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.
12. Never knock on Death’s door. Ring the bell and run, he hates that.
13. Keep the dream alive: Hit the snooze button.
14. Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.
15. Procrastinate now.