An elderly woman made a phone call to the local police station requesting a police officer come to her house to remove a sign that had recently been placed in her front yard. When asked the nature of the problem, she complained about the traffic sign, which warned, “Caution: Deer Crossing.”
“I want that sign removed right away,” she demanded. When the police officer asked her why she wanted it removed, she exclaimed, “Because I do not want those deer crossing in or near my yard. Just move the sign somewhere else and let them cross there.”
I thought of that old joke when driving down a road with that very sign. This curvy residential road not only has a history of deer and car mishaps, but the very nature of its curves brings out many drivers’ need to speed. I had to slow down to cross many recently installed speed bumps, which were designed to do what the speed signs failed to do. What a nuisance these bumps were because they seemed to be abnormally tall and required me to reduce my speed as I crossed over these obstacles.
I have to admit that by slowing down I was able to see and appreciate the scenery along the roadside. It also reduced the likelihood that I would collide with a deer. I probably need a lot more speed bumps in my life, because I seem to go at a faster pace than is necessary. While I have never collided with a real deer, I have collided with many other situations as they crossed the roads of my life.
Speeding down life’s road, I find myself running into obstacles that I could have avoided, had I only been more patient. I have also collided with people as my eagerness to get to my destination made me less willing to be patient with them. I have also had road signs in my life warning me of the dangers, not the physical kind, but those that cause emotional pain.
I can’t say that I blame the woman in the story. If I had my way, I too would want the warning sign moved away from me so that threats, as small as they may be, would not trespass on my life. The seasoned part of my inner being, tells me that I can’t control what comes along in my life and the challenges I will face, but I can control my actions and slow down to avoid an inevitable collision. I guess that I will learn to respect the speed bumps in my personal road and will take them as a sign to slow down.
Affirmation for the Week:
“I will move at a pace that will allow me to appreciate the journey and to avoid any unnecessary collisions with challenging situations in my life.”
Have a safe driving week, and heed the warning signs!
Mary “Motivator” Rau-Foster