What I Learned From A Traffic Sign

The other day as I was driving, I took the exit to get on the interstate.  As I tried to merge, no one wanted to “give way” to allow me to do so.  Now, I understand that when the “yield” sign is present, that’s what I should do! But I noticed for whatever reason that day, that there was no yield sign. Instead, there was a merge sign because the street I took the exit from, had very high traffic.  Therefore, we couldn’t yield due to backing up or stopping traffic concerning the direction we were coming from.  But again, this wouldn’t be such an issue that day, if people who were already on the interstate would have gone over in the lane farthest away, in order for me to merge, which was my only option.

You see, not only was it important for me to merge smoothly, but safely. I needed to be safe for the sake of those on the interstate whom I was merging with, as well as those who were merging behind me.

I know you’re saying, “Ok, ok, okkkkkk…you had to merge on the interstate, what could possibly be the lesson in that?”

I’m soooo glad you asked…lol!

I remember saying out loud to the other drivers (as if they could hear me), “If I had a yield sign, I wouldn’t be merging! It’s important that y’all get over, so I don’t mess up everything behind me!”

When traveling our different paths in life, there will be sometimes that we have to move over so others can merge with us and continue the same direction we’re going.  But if we don’t give way, those that need to merge have no choice but to stop, backing up others behind them.

I realized that in just a few seconds of driving that when others don’t pay attention to the signs as well, it puts everyone at risk.  Now, what helped me is that I’m not afraid to put my foot on that pedal and do what I need to do…lol! Therefore, I made sure that I found a space and got over and didn’t wait on anyone to let me merge.  But doing so, allowed those trying to merge behind me an actual chance to merge as well and do it safely.

How you travel, will affect those coming behind you.

Although I was the driver and the only one in my car, my choices had the power to decide the fate of those behind and beside me! This holds true for all of us!

Our life journey offers moments of gratification, celebration, appreciation, frustration, and relaxation. But how we live in each of these moments will be remembered by someone watching… up close or far away. And not only that (fortunately or unfortunately), but our choices will also be imitated as a result of influence.

There’s a lot to be learned in this life…even from a traffic sign! You’d be surprised how they can still teach you, even if you’re an experienced driver.  After all, I learned from a traffic sign that I see every…single…day!

Whatever you do, from this day forward...try to learn even from what is familiar.  It’s amazing how what’s around us is always teaching. 

It’s our job to learn the lesson.